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 verb1 a: to frighten or prod (as game or cattle) into moving in a desired direction b: to go through (an area) driving game animals2: 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> dbasketball : 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 stream5 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 digging7 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 in8: to give shape or impulse to <factors that drive the business cycle> <the ideas that have driven history>intransitive verb1 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 vehicle3: 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>