drive-in

noun

ˈdrīv-ˌin 

: an establishment (such as a theater or restaurant) so laid out that patrons can be accommodated while remaining in their automobiles

drive-in adjective

Examples of drive-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Neither movie was necessarily an instant classic, and the drive-in contributed less than $2,000 in box office receipts each weekend that April. — David Morton, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

Price became his favorite actor after frequent trips to the drive-in, and while writing for the school newspaper at Encina High School, Del Valle, then 16, got to interview the star for the first time when Price came to town with a play. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026

Bauer was escorting bank tellers to their drive-in stations moments before he was gunned down. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

The fall shift to standard time already brings dozens more cars to the drive-in through December, and making the change permanent could help accommodate bigger crowds year-round. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for drive-in

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• superfine
• underpin
• vietminh
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin

Kids Definition

drive-in

noun

ˈdrī-ˌvin

: a business (as a movie theater or restaurant) set up so that customers can be served or provided for while remaining in their automobiles

drive-in adjective