Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1700-1800
Origin: derrick 'structure for hanging criminals' (1600-1700), perhaps from a person who operated this called Derrick

derrick

 noun
     
Related topics: Building, Water
der‧rick [countable]
1TTW a tall machine used for lifting heavy weights, especially on ships
2TB a tall tower built over an oil well, used to raise and lower the drill
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary