derrick
/ˈdɛɹɪk/noun, verb
derrick is spelled D-E-R-R-I-C-K: 7 letters and 2 syllables. It appears 3.1 times per million words in written English, the 15,146th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data, counting Derrick, the name). As a noun, derrick means “A device that is used for lifting and moving large objects” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of derrick is derricks.
How many letters and syllables are in derrick?
| Letters | 7: D-E-R-R-I-C-K |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | 3.1 times per million words; the 15,146th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Sounds like |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is derrick?
Derrick appears 3.1 times per million words in written English, the 15,146th most frequent word form in the list. The list counts every capitalisation together, so this includes Derrick, the name.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce derrick?
- /ˈdɛɹɪk/
Derrick has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Flame,_not_lame-derrick.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Words people confuse with derrick
Sounds like: Derek (Wiktionary's homophone list; some hold only in some accents).
Sources: English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).
Forms of derrick
- derricks plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- derricking participle, present
- derricked participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does derrick mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A device that is used for lifting and moving large objects.
- 2
A framework that is constructed over a mine or oil well for the purpose of boring or lowering pipes.
- 3
obsoleteAn executioner responsible for hanging convicts; a hangman.
verb
- 1
To hoist with, or as if with, a derrick.
- 2
informalTo remove (a pitcher).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Derrick in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| German | Ladebaum, Lademast, Kranbaum, Kranmast, Montagekran, Ladekran |
| Spanish | machina, cabria , torre petrolera, torre penetracional |
| Portuguese | torre de perfuração |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does derrick come from?
Named after British executioner Thomas Derrick, who invented the framework arrangement commonly known by this name to aid in the conduct of executions. First use appears c. 1600 in the publication Ballad Death Earl Essex.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).