Derby

1
[ dur-bee; for 1, 2 also British dahr-bee ]
/ ˈdɜr bi; for 1, 2 also British ˈdɑr bi /

noun

a city in Derbyshire in central England.
Derbyshire.
a city in S Connecticut.

Definition for derby (2 of 2)

Derby 2
[ dur-bee; British dahr-bee ]
/ ˈdɜr bi; British ˈdɑr bi /

noun, plural Der·bies.

a race for three-year-old horses that is run annually at Epsom Downs, near London, England: first run in 1780.
any of certain other important annual horse races, usually for three-year-old horses, especially the Kentucky Derby.
(lowercase) a race or contest, usually one open to all who wish to enter and offering a prize for the winner.
(lowercase) any endeavor or venture regarded as a competition: to win the gubernatorial derby.
(lowercase) Also called bowler. a stiff felt hat with rounded crown and narrow brim, worn chiefly by men.

Origin of Derby

2
First recorded in 1830–40; after Edward Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (died 1834), who instituted the race

Example sentences from the Web for derby

British Dictionary definitions for derby (1 of 4)

derby
/ (ˈdɜːrbɪ) /

noun plural -bies

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

British Dictionary definitions for derby (2 of 4)

Derby 1
/ (ˈdɑːbɪ, US ˈdɜːrbɪ) /

noun

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

Word Origin for Derby

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

British Dictionary definitions for derby (3 of 4)

Derby 2
/ (ˈdɑːbɪ) /

noun

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

British Dictionary definitions for derby (4 of 4)

Derby 3
/ (ˈdɑːbɪ) /

noun

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