Main Entry: ¹drive

Pronunciation: \ˈdrīv\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): drove \ˈdrōv\; driv·en \ˈdri-vən\; driv·ing \ˈdrī-viŋ\

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English drīfan; akin to Old High German trīban to drive

Date: before 12th century

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

synonyms see move

— 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 <did not understand what she was driving at — Eric Goldman>