: any of several horse races held annually and usually restricted to three-year-olds
2
: a race or contest open to all comers or to a specified category of contestants
a bicycle derby
3
British: a game between local sports teams
… even when both clubs were going through trophy droughts, the derby was still treated like a European Cup final by the fans.—The Manchester (England) Evening News
4
: a stiff felt hat with dome-shaped crown and narrow brim
Illustration of derby
derby 4
Examples of derby in a Sentence
a derby between Manchester United and Manchester City
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Even given the visitors’ impressive defensive performance in a goalless derby against champions City last weekend, Newcastle rightly will be targeting a victory.—Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 There were also roller derby players, grandmothers, student athletes and political activists who lined up for a turn to speak.—Laurel Rosenhall, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025 After losing Arsenal goalscorer Gabriel at a corner in September’s 1-0 north London derby defeat, Argentinian media reported that Romero was unhappy with his travel arrangements after representing his country twice in World Cup qualifiers.—Jay Harris, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025 Cheap Aside from being a high profile derby, sparks were set to fly in this match after Brazil winger Raphinha decided to speak out in an interview with Brazilian legend Romario that was released on Monday.—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for derby
: a horse race usually for three-year-olds held annually
2
: a race or contest open to all comers
a fishing derby
3
: a stiff felt hat with dome-shaped top and narrow brim
Etymology
named for Edward Stanley, 12th earl of Derby (a county and town in England)
Word Origin
The first horse race called a Derby was named after an English nobleman named Edward Stanley, the Earl of Derby (1752–1834). The Earl instituted the race in 1780, and it continues to be run to the present day on the first Wednesday in June at Epsom Downs, a racetrack south of London. The name Derby has become attached to other races usually restricted to three-year-old horses, such as the Kentucky Derby. It is used as well of races that have nothing to do with horses, such as the Pinewood Derby run by the Cub Scouts. In the 1800s derby was also the name given in the U.S. to a dome-shaped hat called a bowler in England. The reason why the hat was given this name is uncertain, and nothing seems to link it with horse races.
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