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
With dirt in dabs, and the rain in a channel, With a down, Is worse to decipher than uniform text, Oh, that is the verdict of oarsmen vext, With a down derry, derry down!
From The Confessions of a Caricaturist, Vol. 1 by Harry Furniss
The connection is probably the comic-song refrain, "Hey derry down derry."
From Austral English A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia by Edward Ellis Morris
Duana first heard about Derry Halloween last year after seeing a video of the parade on social media.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
"The infrastructural capacity of Derry needs increased; I don't think two vehicular bridges for a city of this side and a population of this city is enough."
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
Martina Ferguson, whose mother Ursula Derry died during the coronavirus pandemic, said "we need to learn from what's happened".
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
Lynch said James McClean was an influential figure, particularly for young men from Derry, given his sporting and personal achievements.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
And what a grand Bashaw he is, this Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry, who, more Irish than the Irish, has thrown himself heart and soul into their cause!
From My Lords of Strogue, Vol. I (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Lewis Wingfield
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