derby

noun

der·​by ˈdər-bē 

 especially British  ˈdä-

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

a 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 (England) Evening News

4

: a stiff felt hat with dome-shaped crown and narrow brim

Illustration of derby

• derby 4

Examples of derby in a Sentence

a derby between Manchester United and Manchester City

Recent Examples on the Web

The Fishers are a derby legacy family: father, mother, and sons. —Alec Sutherland, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024

With that said, however, there are some lures that have stood the test of time, which are still a go-to for derby anglers and guides alike. —David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024

The two later become friends by teaming up in a soapbox derby, which requires them to spend time together building a vehicle. —Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2024

What about Indiana youth fishing derby and other events? —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Feb. 2024

Mizuhara was thrust into the spotlight at that summer’s All-Star Game when Ohtani tapped him to be his catcher for the home run derby. —Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024

Perhaps the greatest derby of all came as recently as 2018. —Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

The annual Academy Awards derby has been a long been a subject of interest for Las Vegas oddsmakers. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024

With Madrid similarly carrying out its preseason preparations in the U.S., an instalment of the world's biggest football derby El Clasico is guaranteed to be the highlight of the two eternal enemies' tours and provide a considerable payday for all concerned. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Edward Stanley †1834, 12th earl of Derby

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing derby

• demolition derby

Kids Definition

derby

noun

der·​by ˈdər-bē 

 especially British  ˈdär-

plural derbies

1

: a horse race usually for three-year-olds held annually

2

: a race or contest open to all comers

a fishing derby

3

: a stiff felt hat with dome-shaped top and narrow brim

Etymology

named for Edward Stanley, 12th earl of Derby (a county and town in England)

Word Origin

The first horse race called a Derby was named after an English nobleman named Edward Stanley, the Earl of Derby (1752–1834). The Earl instituted the race in 1780, and it continues to be run to the present day on the first Wednesday in June at Epsom Downs, a racetrack south of London. The name Derby has become attached to other races usually restricted to three-year-old horses, such as the Kentucky Derby. It is used as well of races that have nothing to do with horses, such as the Pinewood Derby run by the Cub Scouts. In the 1800s derby was also the name given in the U.S. to a dome-shaped hat called a bowler in England. The reason why the hat was given this name is uncertain, and nothing seems to link it with horse races.

Geographical Definition

Derby

geographical name

Der·​by ˈdär-bē 

 chiefly U.S.  ˈdər-

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