Derby

¹

[ dur-bee; British dahr-bee ]

noun

1. a city in Derbyshire in central England.
2. Derbyshire.
3. a city in S Connecticut.

Derby

²

[ dur-bee; British dahr-bee ]

noun

, plural Der·bies.

1. a race for three-year-old horses that is run annually at Epsom Downs, near London, England: first run in 1780.
2. any of certain other important annual horse races, usually for three-year-old horses, especially the Kentucky Derby.
3. (lowercase) a race or contest, usually one open to all who wish to enter and offering a prize for the winner.
4. (lowercase) any endeavor or venture regarded as a competition:

   to win the gubernatorial derby.

5. (lowercase) Also called bowler. a stiff felt hat with rounded crown and narrow brim, worn chiefly by men.

Derby

¹

/ ˈdɑːbɪ /

noun

1. Derby, Earl of17991869MBritishPOLITICS: statesman Earl of. title of Edward George Geoffrey Smith Stanley. 1799–1869, British statesman; Conservative prime minister (1852; 1858–59; 1866–68)

Derby

²

/ ˈdɑːbɪ /

noun

1. 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)
2. a unitary authority in central England, in Derbyshire. Pop: 233 200 (2003 est). Area: 78 sq km (30 sq miles)
3. a firm-textured pale-coloured type of cheese
4. sage Derby
   a green-and-white Derby cheese flavoured with sage

Derby

³

/ ˈdɜːrbɪ; ˈdɑːbɪ /

noun

1. the Derby
   an annual horse race run at Epsom Downs, Surrey, since 1780: one of the English flat-racing classics
2. any of various other horse races
3. local Derby
   a football match between two teams from the same area

derby

⁴

/ ˈdɜːrbɪ /

noun

1. a stiff felt hat with a rounded crown and narrow curved brim Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)bowler

Word History and Origins

Origin of Derby¹

First recorded in 1830–40; after Edward Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (died 1834), who instituted the race

Word History and Origins

Origin of Derby¹

C18: named after the twelfth Earl of Derby (died 1834), who founded the horse race at Epsom Downs in 1780

Example Sentences

He was on video assistant referee duty for the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in October 2020 when Virgil van Dijk sustained a season-ending knee injury after a reckless challenge in the area by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford, with no penalty being awarded.

From BBC

He and Mookie Betts had a good relationship, with Betts calling McCullough “the best coach I’ve ever had” after selecting McCullough to pitch to him in the 2023 home run derby.

From Los Angeles Times

After Tottenham's defeat by Arsenal in the north London derby in September, Postecoglou said "I always win things in my second season" at a club and added he "absolutely" thought Spurs could challenge for silverware this season.

From BBC

Popular musician and human rights activist Sister Derby has thrown her weight behind Buz Stop Boys, praising the activists on her Instagram and X accounts.

From BBC

Beck arranged for the lake to be stocked with fish and invited neighborhood kids to a fishing derby.

From Los Angeles Times