derby

noun der·by \ ˈdər-bē , especially British ˈdä- \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: derby in a Sentence

Definition of derby

plural derbies

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.
—Manchester Evening News

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

See derby defined for English-language learners

See derby defined for kids

Examples of derby in a Sentence

a derby between Manchester United and Manchester City

Recent Examples of derby from the Web

In the first derby in 1985, Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg and White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk took part at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

— chris boghossian, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago ties run deep in original 'Home Run Derby,' a short-lived TV show at (the other) Wrigley Field," 13 July 2018
No other player has scored as many goals in this derby.

— SI.com, "Cristiano Ronaldo's Incredible List of Records Set While at Real Madrid," 11 July 2018
Muncy will take part in the home run derby the day before the game.

— andy mccullough, latimes.com, "Dodgers put Yasiel Puig on the disabled list, call up Andrew Toles," 10 July 2018
At the plate, first baseman Hudson Potts – who hit nine homers to come in third place in the pre-game derby – singled and struck out in three plate appearances.

— jeff sanders, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Reggie Lawson changing it up in Cal League," 20 June 2018
Before the match, skaters roll around with pun-y derby names emblazoned on the backs of their jerseys.

— liz ohanesian, Los Angeles Magazine, "Meet the Badass Girls of Los Anarchists, L.A.’s Roller Derby League for Kids," 9 Jan. 2018
Major League Baseball has not yet announced a format change or the pending invitations of players for the derby.

— alec romero, sacbee, "Only two sluggers have confirmed for next week's home run derby. What's going on?," 10 July 2018
Jacob Wark was also picked for the league home run derby which was set to take place Monday night.

— Cincinnati.com, "Freedom players head to all-star game," 10 July 2018
Goose used her ties in the business community to line up a team for a home run derby held at the event.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Mustache or not, retired pilot Sully has some lessons for Boston about people power," 11 June 2018

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.

Illustration of derby

Origin and Etymology of derby

Edward Stanley †1834, 12th earl of Derby

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1796

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Derby

geographical name Der·by \ ˈdär-bē , chiefly U.S. ˈdər- \

Definition of Derby

city on the Derwent River in Derbyshire, north central England population 252,000

DERBY Defined for English Language Learners

derby

noun

Definition of derby for English Language Learners

: a type of horse race that takes place every year
: a race or contest
: a game between local sports teams

DERBY Defined for Kids

derby

noun der·by \ ˈdər-bē \

Definition of derby for Students

plural derbies

1 : a race for three-year-old horses usually held every year

2 : a race or contest open to anyone

a fishing derby

3 : a stiff felt hat with a narrow brim and a rounded top

History for derby

The first horse race called a Derby was named after an English nobleman named Edward Stanley, the Earl of Derby (1752-1834). The Earl of Derby instituted the race in 1780, and it continues to be run to the present day in England on the first Wednesday in June. The name Derby has become attached to other horse races, such as the Kentucky Derby in the United States, as well as to races and contests that have nothing to do with horses.