The Open Dictionary

drive

noun

UK/draɪv/
US/draɪv/

Definitions of drive noun

road

  1. Countable

    A road, especially one with houses along it, used in the name of some roads.

    • Number 12 on Maple Drive.

    • Oak Drive is a quiet residential street.

    • The house is located on Cherry Drive.

area

  1. Countable

    A private area in front of a house or building where you can park a car.

    • Please park the car on the drive, not blocking the road.

    • I have to move the car because it's blocking the drive.

    • They are laying down a new drive.

effort

  1. Countable

    A planned and organized effort to achieve a specific goal.

    • The company launched a drive to improve customer satisfaction.

    • They are on a major drive for environmental awareness.

    • The hospital is having a fundraising drive.

device

  1. B1Countable

    A device in a computer used to store data.

    • an external hard drive

    • a USB drive

    • a solid-state drive

journey

  1. B1Countable

    A journey made in a vehicle.

    • It's a long drive from London to Edinburgh.

    • We decided to go for a drive to the beach.

    • How about going for a drive this afternoon?

system

  1. Uncountable

    The system that provides power to a vehicle's wheels.

    • A car with front-wheel drive.

    • The four-wheel drive system on this car performs well in the snow.

    • This car has a rear-wheel drive.

energy

  1. C1Uncountable

    The energy and determination to achieve things.

    • She has the drive and ambition to succeed.

    • He lacks the drive to finish the project.

    • The young man has a lot of drive and perseverance.

hit

  1. Countable

    A powerful hit of a ball, especially in sports like golf or baseball.

    • He took a powerful drive and sent the ball far.

    • That was a perfect drive by the golfer.

    • The outfielder caught his powerful drive.

verb

UK/draɪv/
US/draɪv/

Definitions of drive verb

operate

  1. A1TransitiveIntransitive

    To operate and control a vehicle.

    • She drives to work every day.

    • He drove me to the airport.

    • We decided to drive to the mountains.

move

  1. C1Transitive

    To force something or someone to move in a specific direction.

    • The shepherd drove the sheep to the field.

    • The wind drove the rain against the windows.

    • Tough laws drive people to change their behaviours.

force

  1. C1Transitive

    To force someone or something into a particular state or condition, often negative.

    • His constant pressure drove her to make that decision.

    • Overwork drove him to physical and mental exhaustion.

    • Poverty drives many people from their homes.

power

  1. C2Transitive

    To provide power to operate a machine or to make something happen.

    • The motor drives the machine.

    • What is driving the growth of the economy?

    • Technological advances drive social change.

hit

  1. Transitive

    To hit a ball forcefully, making it travel a long distance.

    • He drove the ball far into the distance.

    • The golfer drove a great opening shot.

    • She drove the ball accurately onto the green.

Phrases of drive verb

  • drive someone mad, crazy, etc.

    To cause someone to feel extremely annoyed, frustrated, or mentally disturbed.

    • His constant complaining is driving me mad.

  • drive someone wild

    To cause someone to feel extremely excited, especially in a sexual way.

    • The way he looks at me with such confidence really drives me wild.

Idioms

  • drive a hard bargain

    To negotiate or bargain aggressively to gain the best possible deal or outcome.

    • The merchant is known for his shrewd negotiation skills and always drives a hard bargain in his deals.

  • drive a coach and horses through something

    To completely invalidate or undermine a rule, argument, or plan, rendering it ineffective.

    • The new evidence he presented drove a coach and horses through the previous arguments.

  • drive your message/point home

    To express an idea or point very clearly and effectively, ensuring it is fully understood.

    • To make sure everyone understood the importance of saving, the teacher drove the point home with a vivid story.

  • drive a wedge between someone

    To harm or damage the existing good relationship between two people or groups.

    • The misunderstanding between them started to drive a wedge between them.

  • be in the driving seat

    To be in a position of control or authority, holding the power to make decisions.

    • With the successful launch of the new product, the company is now in the driving seat in the market.

  • drive someone to drink

    To cause someone to become so distressed or frustrated that they resort to drinking alcohol as a means of coping.

    • These never-ending contract negotiations are driving me to drink.

Phrasal Verbs of drive

  • drive off

    to depart using a car

    • She drove off quickly after dinner.

  • drive at something

    When you inquire about what someone is driving at, you are asking what they genuinely mean.

    • What are you driving at when you say that? I'm not quite sure what you're getting at.