derby

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

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 : 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

Herpich and derby participants are appreciative that Oak Lawn's Public Works department gets the streets and barricades ready for the Derby and the Oak Lawn Police who are also on hand.

— cheryl petzel, Daily Southtown, "Cubmobile race packs 'em in in Oak Lawn," 19 July 2017
Great baseball analysis Multitasking during baseball's home run derby last night, I was reminded there's no better sports newsletter than one Joe Sheehan does on baseball.

— The Hive, "How the Media Let Itself Get Crushed by Facebook," 11 July 2017
The derby format is an eight-man, single-elimination bracket, featuring the following pairings: No.

— creg stephenson, AL.com, "MLB All-Star Home Run Derby 2017 live stream; time, TV channel, lineup, format, schedule," 10 July 2017
Throughout the day, kids can participate in baseball and softball clinics, skills games, a kids home run derby, a kids press conference with a MLB Legend and much more.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "South Florida family events: Kids Day at the MLB FanFest, art events, stage shows," 5 July 2017
Live entertainment, harness racing, antique tractor pull and demolition derby.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week: July 5-9," 5 July 2017
By 8 a.m., about 40 people had picked a spot on the rocks near the lagoon, with fishing gear near their feet and bobbers in the water in hopes of getting the biggest fish at Zion Park District's annual fishing derby.

— yadira sanchez olson, Lake County News-Sun, "Families enjoy fishing at Zion derby," 4 July 2017
There will also be diaper derbies, raffles, goodie bags, music, catered food and drinks, and free massages.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "South Florida weekend fun includes free family movies, Baby and Toddler Fair," 22 June 2017
Labor Day weekend tradition, in its 65th — and final — year, features nautical parade of begonia-laden boats, sand sculpture contest, fishing derby, concerts and family activities.

— linda zavoral, The Mercury News, "Bay Area festivals 2017: Art, wine, cars, culture and county fairs," 20 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

Derby

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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

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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

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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.