oil derrick
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of oil derrick
First recorded in 1860–65
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.
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
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
Traditionalists scoffed at his use of industrial materials, and at designs that were variously likened to an oil derrick, a V-8 engine, an espresso machine and a Meccano construction set.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 20, 2021
Using some channel iron found behind the machine shop, we built what looked like a miniature oil derrick and placed it over the scale as a brace for a tube that held the rocket.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
