Dictionary.com

Derby

1
[ dur-bee; for 1, 2 also British dahr-bee ]
/ ˈdɜr bi; for 1, 2 also British ˈdɑr bi /
Save This Word!

noun
a city in Derbyshire in central England.
a city in S Connecticut.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

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

2
First 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
FEEDBACK