First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1drive
verb \ˈdrīv\
: to direct the movement of (a car, truck, bus, etc.)
of a car, truck, etc. : to move in a specified manner or direction
: to travel in a car
drove \ˈdrōv\ driv·en \ˈdri-vən\ driv·ing \ˈdrī-viŋ\
Full Definition of DRIVE
transitive verb
1
a : to frighten or prod (as game or cattle) into moving in a desired direction b : to go through (an area) driving game animals
2
: to carry on or through energetically <drives a hard bargain>
3
a : to impart a forward motion to by physical force <waves drove the boat ashore> b : to repulse, remove, or cause to go by force, authority, or influence <drive the enemy back> c : to set or keep in motion or operation <drive machinery by electricity> d basketball : to move quickly and forcefully down or along <drive the lane> <drive the baseline>
4
a : to direct the motions and course of (a draft animal) b : to operate the mechanism and controls and direct the course of (as a vehicle) <drive a car> c : to convey in a vehicle <his father drove me home> d : to float (logs) down a stream
5
a : to exert inescapable or coercive pressure on : force <driven by his passions> b : to compel to undergo or suffer a change (as in situation or emotional state) <drove him crazy> <drove her out of business> c : to urge relentlessly to continuous exertion <the sergeant drove his recruits> d : to press or force into an activity, course, or direction <the drug habit drives addicts to steal> e : to project, inject, or impress incisively <drove her point home>
6
: to force (a passage) by pressing or digging
7
a : to propel (an object of play) swiftly or forcefully <drove a long fly ball to the warning track> b : to hit (a golf ball) from the tee especially with a driver; also : to drive a golf ball onto (a green) c : to cause (a run or runner) to be scored in baseball —usually used with in
8
: to give shape or impulse to <factors that drive the business cycle> <the ideas that have driven history>
intransitive verb
1
a : to dash, plunge, or surge ahead rapidly or violently b : to progress with strong momentum <the rain was driving hard> c : to make a quick and forceful move in basketball <driving to the hoop>
2
a : to operate a vehicle b : to have oneself carried in a vehicle
3
: to drive a golf ball
— driv·abil·i·ty also drive·abil·i·ty \ˌdrī-və-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— driv·able also drive·able \ˈdrī-və-bəl\ adjective
— drive at
: to intend to express, convey, or accomplish <couldn't understand what she was driving at>
See drive defined for English-language learners
See drive defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of DRIVE
Middle English, from Old English drīfan; akin to Old High German trīban to drive
Synonym Discussion of DRIVE
move, actuate, drive, impel mean to set or keep in motion. move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position <moved the furniture>. actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion <turbines actuated by waterpower>. drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus <a ship driven aground by hurricane winds>. impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus <a candidate impelled by ambition>.
2drive
noun, often attributive
: a journey in a car
: a hard area or small road outside of a house where cars can be parked
: an effort made by a group of people to achieve a goal, to collect money, etc.
Full Definition of DRIVE
1
: an act of driving: a : a trip in a carriage or automobile <a short drive to the coast> b : a collection and driving together of animals; also : the animals gathered c : a driving of cattle or sheep overland d : a hunt or shoot in which the game is driven within the hunter's range e : the guiding of logs downstream to a mill; also : the floating logs amassed in a drive f (1) : the act or an instance of driving an object of play (as a golf ball) (2) : the flight of a ball <a high drive to left field>
2
a : a private road : driveway b : a public road for driving (as in a park)
3
: the state of being hurried and under pressure
4
a : a strong systematic group effort <a fund-raising drive> b : a sustained offensive effort <the drive ended in a touchdown>
5
a : the means for giving motion to a machine or machine part b : the means by which the propulsive power of an automobile is applied to the road <front wheel drive> c : the means by which the propulsion of an automotive vehicle is controlled and directed <a left-hand drive>
6
a : an offensive, aggressive, or expansionist move; especially : a strong military attack against enemy-held terrain b : a quick and aggressive move toward the basket in basketball
7
a : an urgent, basic, or instinctual need : a motivating physiological condition of an organism <a sexual drive> b : an impelling culturally acquired concern, interest, or longing <the drive to succeed> c : dynamic quality
8
: a device for reading or writing on magnetic or optical media (as tapes or disks)
See drive defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DRIVE
1785
Related to DRIVE
DRIVE Defined for Kids
1drive
verb \ˈdrīv\
drove \ˈdrōv\driv·en \ˈdri-vən\driv·ing \ˈdrī-viŋ\
Definition of DRIVE for Kids
1
: to direct the movement of <drive a car>
2
: to go or carry in a vehicle <drive into town> <Mom drove me to school.>
3
: to move using force <… he used his greater strength to drive the young mouse backwards. — Brian Jacques, Redwall>
4
: to push in with force <drive a nail>
5
: to set or keep in motion or operation <The machines are driven by electricity.>
6
: to carry through <drive a bargain>
7
: to force to work or to act <The peasants were driven by hunger to steal.>
8
: to bring into a particular condition <That noise is driving me crazy!>
— driv·er \ˈdrī-vər\ noun
2drive
noun
Definition of DRIVE for Kids
1
: a trip in a vehicle
2
: driveway
3
: an often scenic public road
4
: an organized effort to achieve a goal <a fund-raising drive>
5
: a strong natural need or desire <the drive to eat>
6
: energy and determination to succeed
7
: an act of leading animals in a group to another place <a cattle drive>
8
: the means for making a machine or machine part move
9
: a device in a computer that can read information off and copy information onto disks or tape <a disk drive>
Medical Dictionary
drive
noun \ˈdrīv\
Medical Definition of DRIVE
1
: an urgent, basic, or instinctual need : a motivating physiological condition of the organism <a sexual drive>
2
: an impelling culturally acquired concern, interest, or longing <a drive for perfection>
Learn More About DRIVE
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up drive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).