derrick

American  

[der-ik] / ˈdɛr ɪk /

noun

1. Machinery. a jib crane having a boom hinged near the base of the mast so as to rotate about the mast, for moving a load toward or away from the mast by raising or lowering the boom.

2. Also called oil derrick.  the towerlike framework over an oil well or the like.

3. a boom for lifting cargo, pivoted at its inner end to a ship's mast or kingpost, and raised and supported at its outer end by topping lifts.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. Machinery. luff.

derrick British  

/ ˈdɛrɪk /

noun

1. a simple crane having lifting tackle slung from a boom

2. the framework erected over an oil well to enable drill tubes to be raised and lowered

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verb

1. to raise or lower the jib of (a crane)

Etymology

Origin of derrick

Originally a hangman, the gallows, after the surname of a well-known Tyburn hangman, circa 1600

Explanation

A derrick is either a crane for lifting material or a framework over an oil well that allows the drilling machinery to be raised and lowered. A 17th century English hangman named Derrick led to a gallows being called a derrick. From there, a crane with a moveable arm came to be called a derrick because it resembled a gallows. Later, another kind of derrick was created: the kind of framework you can probably picture if you think of an oil well. That derrick allows the drilling tubes to move up and down, and all these types of derricks have a similar, up-and-down purpose.

Example Sentences

A giant wooden oil derrick serves as a central landmark in Taft, which finances its schools, fire department and police force with oil revenues.

From Barron's • Oct. 20, 2025

First cranes, then the drilling derrick and finally the accommodation modules fell into the sea.

From BBC • Aug. 23, 2025

For Anderson’s 2007 mad epic, he walked ranches around Marfa, Texas, before deciding on the knoll where the 90-foot oil derrick would go.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024

It characterizes the wildcatter and oil derrick as "Texas icons."

From Salon • Sep. 27, 2022

“We park up front. There’s one bonus from being the derrick hand who’s a slave to these old rigs.”

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez