: 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
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 WebCefalu remembers that a barge bearing a derrick broke away from its moorings during a weekend storm and imperiled one of the bridge’s piers.—Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2024 As part of this process, the team created the Sun 800, a floating derrick that could lift heavy parts onto the vessel, reports the Maritime Executive.—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024 People talk about oil derricks, in North Dakota, for example.—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 15 Mar. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for derrick
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
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