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
a :  to frighten or prod (as game or cattle) into moving in a desired direction
b :  to go through (an area) driving game animals
:  to carry on or through energetically <drives a hard bargain>
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>
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
a :  to exert inescapable or coercive pressure on :  force <driven by his passions>
:  to force (a passage) by pressing or digging
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
intransitive verb
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>
a :  to operate a vehicle
b :  to have oneself carried in a vehicle
:  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>

Examples of DRIVE

  1. He drove the car down a bumpy road.
  2. Do you want to drive or should I?
  3. He is learning to drive.
  4. The car stopped and then drove off.
  5. A car drove by us slowly.
  6. The bus slowly drove away.
  7. We drove all night and arrived at dawn.
  8. We drove 160 miles to get here.
  9. I drive on this route every day.
  10. I drive this route every day.

Origin of DRIVE

Middle English, from Old English drīfan; akin to Old High German trīban to drive
First Known Use: before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of DRIVE



noun, often attributive

: a journey in a car

: a hard area or small road outside of a house where cars can be parked


Full Definition of DRIVE

:  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>
a :  a private road :  driveway
b :  a public road for driving (as in a park)
:  the state of being hurried and under pressure
a :  a strong systematic group effort <a fund-raising drive>
b :  a sustained offensive effort <the drive ended in a touchdown>
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>
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
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
:  a device for reading or writing on magnetic or optical media (as tapes or disks)

Examples of DRIVE

  1. It's a two-hour drive to the beach.
  2. Her house is an hour's drive east of Los Angeles.
  3. We took a pleasant drive in the country.
  4. Would you like to go for a drive?
  5. A white car was parked in the drive.

First Known Use of DRIVE


Other Wood Production Terms

cord, lumber, punk
DRIVE Defined for Kids


verb \ˈdrīv\

Definition of DRIVE for Kids

:  to direct the movement of <drive a car>
:  to go or carry in a vehicle <drive into town> <Mom drove me to school.>
:  to move using force <… he used his greater strength to drive the young mouse backwards. — Brian Jacques, Redwall>
:  to push in with force <drive a nail>
:  to set or keep in motion or operation <The machines are driven by electricity.>
:  to carry through <drive a bargain>
:  to force to work or to act <The peasants were driven by hunger to steal.>
:  to bring into a particular condition <That noise is driving me crazy!>
driv·er \ˈdrī-vər\ noun



Definition of DRIVE for Kids

:  a trip in a vehicle
:  driveway
:  an often scenic public road
:  an organized effort to achieve a goal <a fund-raising drive>
:  a strong natural need or desire <the drive to eat>
:  energy and determination to succeed
:  an act of leading animals in a group to another place <a cattle drive>
:  the means for making a machine or machine part move
:  a device in a computer that can read information off and copy information onto disks or tape <a disk drive>
Medical Dictionary


noun \ˈdrīv\

Medical Definition of DRIVE

:  an urgent, basic, or instinctual need :  a motivating physiological condition of the organism <a sexual drive>
:  an impelling culturally acquired concern, interest, or longing <a drive for perfection>
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