designated driver

noun

: a person chosen to abstain from intoxicants (such as alcohol) so as to transport others safely who are not abstaining

had some nonalcoholic champagne on hand for the designated drivers

Examples of designated driver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web White Castle designated driver free drink deal through July 4 Through July 4 at White Castle, mention the Designated Driver offer between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. and get a free small soft drink. —

Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 30 June 2023 Fest tickets $40; designated driver tickets $10. —

Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 12 May 2022 General admission, $50 plus fees; VIP, $80 plus fees; designated driver and shuttle tickets, $15 plus fees. —

Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 2 Mar. 2022 Prices are $20 for military and designated driver or $30 for general admission; commemorative glass included. —

Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2021 Tickets are $50 in advance and $55 at the door; designated driver tickets are $20. —

Annie Alleman, chicagotribune.com, 3 Sep. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'designated driver.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of designated driver was in 1982

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Designated driver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designated%20driver. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

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