derry
noun
a meaningless refrain or chorus in old songs.
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derry
1 American
[der-ee]
/ ˈdɛr i /
noun
-
derries
plural
Derry
2
American
[der-ee]
/ ˈdɛr i /
Derry
1
British
/ ˈdɛrɪ /
noun
-
a district in NW Northern Ireland, in Co Londonderry. Pop: 106 456 (2003 est). Area: 387 sq km (149 sq miles)
-
another name for Londonderry
derry
2
British
/ ˈdɛrɪ /
noun
derry
3
British
/ ˈdɛrɪ /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of derry
First recorded in 1545–55; of obscure origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A "derry" - slang for a derelict building - offered an option to young people seeking an alternative to the "taxpaying nine-to-five" lifestyle, says Prof Cohen.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2019
When he heard them stir he clapped his hands, and cried: ‘Hey! Come merry dol! derry dol! My hearties!’
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
The well-known chorus of “Hey derry down,” according to this gentleman, was a druidic chant, signifying, literally, “In a circle the oaks move round.”
From Cultus Arborum Phallic Tree Worship by Anonymous
Then let us be modestly merry, And rejoice with a derry down derry.
From The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan by Sir W. S. (William Schwenck) Gilbert
Such a one is this harvesting song— Merry, merry, merry; cheery, cheery, cheery; Trowl the black bowl to me; Hey derry, derry, with a poup and a lerry, I'll trowl it again to thee.
From The Growth of English Drama by Arnold Wynne
The funeral service took place at St Mary's Church in the Creggan area of Derry last Monday morning.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
The funeral took place at St Mary's Church in the Creggan area of Derry on Monday morning followed by cremation in Letterkenny, County Donegal, that afternoon.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
"Neighbouring towns have bespoke clubs and clubhouses and facilities and it's a pity that a city the size of Derry doesn't have such a facility of its own," Bloomfield said.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
The City of Derry Airport said it had experienced some cancellations and delays.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
The eloquent and excellent Bishop of Derry is “convinced that, with all its undeniable merits, it will have to be somewhat extensively revised.”
From The Revision Revised by John William Burgon
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.
