Derby
1[ dur-bee; for 1, 2 also British dahr-bee ]
/ ˈdɜr bi; for 1, 2 also British ˈdɑr bi /
Save This Word!
noun
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Words nearby Derby
derate, deration, deratization, deratize, Derbent, Derby, Derbyshire, Derbyshire chair, de re, derealization, derecho
Other definitions for Derby (2 of 2)
Derby2
[ dur-bee; British dahr-bee ]
/ ˈdɜr bi; British ˈdɑr bi /
noun, plural Der·bies.
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.
(lowercase)Also called bowler. a stiff felt hat with rounded crown and narrow brim, worn chiefly by men.
Origin of Derby
2First recorded in 1830–40; after Edward Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (died 1834), who instituted the race
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use Derby in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for Derby (1 of 4)
derby
/ (ˈdɜːrbɪ) /
noun plural -bies
US and Canadian a stiff felt hat with a rounded crown and narrow curved brimAlso called (in Britain and certain other countries): bowler
British Dictionary definitions for Derby (2 of 4)
Derby1
/ (ˈdɑːbɪ, US ˈdɜːrbɪ) /
noun
the Derby an annual horse race run at Epsom Downs, Surrey, since 1780: one of the English flat-racing classics
any of various other horse races
local Derby a football match between two teams from the same area
Word Origin for Derby
C18: named after the twelfth Earl of Derby (died 1834), who founded the horse race at Epsom Downs in 1780
British Dictionary definitions for Derby (3 of 4)
Derby2
/ (ˈdɑːbɪ) /
noun
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
sage Derby a green-and-white Derby cheese flavoured with sage
British Dictionary definitions for Derby (4 of 4)
Derby3
/ (ˈdɑːbɪ) /
noun
Earl of. title of Edward George Geoffrey Smith Stanley. 1799–1869, British statesman; Conservative prime minister (1852; 1858–59; 1866–68)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012