Derby

[ 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.

Derbyshire.

a city in S Connecticut.

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…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

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

In March, Helfer was sent a letter informing her that a disciplinary hearing would be held on Sunday in Derby over Helfer’s “repeated clear, and public opposition to the Church, its doctrine, its policies, and its leaders,” which she denies.
Mormon sex therapist faces discipline and possible expulsion from the LDS Church|Sarah Pulliam Bailey|April 16, 2021|Washington Post
Heading into Saturday’s races, there are 36 horses with 10 or more points in the Derby standings, but only 16 with more than 25.
Road to the Kentucky Derby arrives at Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby and Blue Grass Stakes|Neil Greenberg|April 2, 2021|Washington Post
The results of Week 1430 will run online on April 29, two days before the running of the Derby, so we’ll have “our horses” to root for in the race.
Style Conversational Week 1430: Back in the saddle again|Pat Myers|April 1, 2021|Washington Post
The Louisville retailer specializes in all the things that make Kentucky Kentucky — bourbon, the Derby, country cooking.
This year, give a holiday gift that evokes your favorite city or state|Liza Weisstuch|December 3, 2020|Washington Post

If you haven’t been to the Derby recently, you should know that they currently only take Venmo payments.
Where to find food and drink specials for Election Day 2020|Fritz Hahn|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
Back-to-back Derby winner Yoenis Céspedes will now suit up as an American League outfield reserve.
Can Baseball’s All-Star Game Be Saved?|Peter C. Bjarkman|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We play dodge ball, ride giant tricycles, and craft homespun jalopies for the adult soapbox derby.
Portland Is Ground Zero for the Best Women’s Soccer in the World|Evelyn Shoop|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So please enjoy “One Red Rose: The Green Kid on Middleground Plucks a Derby Trophy,” which ran on May 6, 1950.
One Red Rose for the Green Kid Who Won the Kentucky Derby|Red Smith|May 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Little Bill Boland was only 18 when he rode Middleground to victory in the 1950 Kentucky Derby.
One Red Rose for the Green Kid Who Won the Kentucky Derby|Red Smith|May 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So when you take that first frosty sip of your mint julep in celebration of the Kentucky Derby, enjoy it.
The Storied Origins of the Classic Mint Julep|Dane Huckelbridge|May 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Except, therefore, for an interval of about three years my childhood and youth were spent at Derby.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Outside Derby station was a ticket platform at which all incoming trains stopped for the collection of tickets.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
We resided at Derby in a terrace on the outskirt of the town, much to my dislike, for monotonous rows of houses I have ever hated.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Said to be aristocratically connected, he was the admiration of all and the darling of the young ladies of Derby.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Amongst all my fellow clerks I remember one only who resembled as a borrower some of my quondam associates at Derby.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow

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