a race for three-year-old horses that is run annually at Epsom Downs, near London, England: first run in 1780.
any of certain other important annual horse races, usually for three-year-old horses, especially the Kentucky Derby.
(lowercase) a race or contest, usually one open to all who wish to enter and offering a prize for the winner.
(lowercase) any endeavor or venture regarded as a competition.
to win the gubernatorial derby.
Also called bowler. (lowercase) a stiff felt hat with rounded crown and narrow brim, worn chiefly by men.
a city in central England, in Derby unitary authority, Derbyshire: engineering industries (esp aircraft engines and railway rolling stock); university (1991). Pop: 229 407 (2001)
a unitary authority in central England, in Derbyshire. Pop: 233 200 (2003 est). Area: 78 sq km (30 sq miles)
a firm-textured pale-coloured type of cheese
a green-and-white Derby cheese flavoured with sage
an annual horse race run at Epsom Downs, Surrey, since 1780: one of the English flat-racing classics
any of various other horse races
a football match between two teams from the same area
First recorded in 1830–40; after Edward Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (died 1834), who instituted the race
A derby is a type of hat that's round, felt, stiff, and has a narrow brim. Wear one with a little mustache and a cane, and you’ll look just like Charlie Chaplin. A derby, as the distinctive round hat with a little brim, was made in the U.S. in the 1850s, but it’s probably named after the Derby horse race in England, where men wore this kind of hat. The race was named after the 12th Earl of Derby. A derby can also be called a bowler, bowler hat, derby hat, or plug hat. Derbies are kind of old-fashioned, so you probably won't see anyone wearing one these days.
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DeVaux was carrying one of her nephews on her hip immediately after the Derby, and some people watching on TV immediately praised her for being a working mom.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
But Vitruvian Man, who hasn’t raced since finishing a distant third in the Santa Anita Derby, will have one distinction: The most famous owners in the field.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026
The same was true at the Derby with only one of the 16 U.S.-based starters having raced outside of maiden or stakes company.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026
His Derby side lost in the Championship play-off final in 2019 and he was then appointed at former club Chelsea, where he spent 13 years as a player.
From BBC • May 26, 2026
The only other person who could see Billy and his spoon was poor old Edgar Derby, who was washing a window outside.
From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
