derrick

noun

der·​rick ˈder-ik How to pronounce derrick (audio)
ˈde-rik
1
: a hoisting apparatus employing a tackle rigged at the end of a beam
2
: a framework or tower over a deep drill hole (as of an oil well) for supporting boring tackle or for hoisting and lowering

Illustration of derrick

Illustration of derrick
  • derrick 2

Did you know?

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, London was the home of a notorious executioner named Derick. Among those he beheaded was the Earl of Essex, Robert Devereux, who supposedly had once saved the life of the ungrateful executioner. While members of the nobility were accorded the courtesy of beheading, it was the lot of commoners to be hanged, and those sent to face the rope at the hands of the executioner Derick nicknamed the gallows after him. Today, derrick is commonly used for a framework, but one that supports equipment used in drilling for oil.

Examples of derrick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Smudge-ugly oil derricks befouled the graves, and by around 1905, graves and gravestones had been moved to a new Home of Peace, well east of downtown. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Big Oil’s legacy lives on; the high school's team name is the Oilers, its logo a derrick, mascot is Oil Man. Christopher Helman, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 The announcement comes as environmental activists focus increasing attention on the health and financial risks of idle oil wells in Southern California, a region once dominated by oil derricks and pumpjacks. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2023 By the 1920s, that terrain, once a sparsely populated stretch of Osage reservation, is covered with bustling small towns, those towering derricks and an awful lot of cattle. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2023 Among them is Nova, who, as a child, watched her father get crushed by an oil derrick. Ella Riley-Adams, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2023 Many even exaggerate the rule, applying it to all times and all tables, whereas it is only meant to prevent that ugly posture of eating with a hand that lowers itself from above like a derrick tearing up a street. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 30 May 2023 In Beverly Hills and Pico-Rivera, oil derricks were sheathed by decorative towers. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2023 At various points in its history, the Sandy Jug has also included a towering oil derrick and an 8-ball stopper painted at the top of the jug. Mrussell, oregonlive, 9 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'derrick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

obsolete derrick hangman, gallows, from Derick, name of 17th century English hangman

First Known Use

circa 1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of derrick was circa 1752

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Cite this Entry

“Derrick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derrick. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

derrick

noun
der·​rick ˈder-ik How to pronounce derrick (audio)
1
: any of various machines for moving or hoisting heavy weights by means of a long beam fitted with pulleys and cables
2
: a framework or tower over a deep drill hole (as of an oil well) for supporting machinery

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