derby

noun

Save Word

der·by | \ ˈdər-bē

, especially British ˈdä- \

plural derbies

Definition of derby

1 : any of several horse races held annually and usually restricted to three-year-olds

2 : a race or contest open to all comers or to a specified category of contestants bicycle derby

3 British : a game between local sports teams … even when both clubs were going through trophy droughts, the derby was still treated like a European Cup final by the fans. — The Manchester Evening News

4 : a man's stiff felt hat with dome-shaped crown and narrow brim

More Example Sentences Phrases Containing derby Learn More About derby

Examples of derby in a Sentence

a derby between Manchester United and Manchester City

Recent Examples on the Web In 2017, a home-run derby in Hyde Park with former big-leaguers Carlos Peña, Shawn Green and Cliff Floyd attracted interest, with cricketers and soccer players also participating. — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Feb. 2022 Clark, the grandson of famous explorer William Clark (of Lewis & Clark fame), was first inspired to bring a horse derby to America after a visit to Europe. — Charlotte Chilton, Town & Country, 10 Feb. 2022 Evidently, there was as a sign announced a derby was sponsored by the town and several nonprofit organizations. — Steve Meyer, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Feb. 2022 For all its success elsewhere, LAFC has won just three of the first 14 El Tráficos, as the inter-city derby is known. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2022 More than 50 children attend Putnam Rotary fishing derby PUTNAM – More than 50 children came to the banks of the Quinebaug River for the 48th annual Putnam Rotary Club Noe Poulin Fishing Derby, which took place Saturday, May 14. — Hartford Courant, 20 May 2022 If Inter and AC Milan are level on Sunday night, the head-to-head record from this season will break the tie in favor of the Rossoneri, who were able to win the latest Milan derby. — Daniele Proch, Forbes, 19 May 2022 Wallace Lake will host the free kid’s derby on Saturday, May 21. — D'arcy Egan, cleveland, 12 May 2022 Rich Strike was winning trainer Eric Reed's first derby horse, who won the race in 2:02.61. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE.com, 7 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'derby.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.