variants
or less commonly drive-thru
: a drive-through establishment (such as a restaurant or bank)
also
: the drive-through window at such an establishment
Examples of drive-through in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The share of customers using delivery specifically, as opposed to picking up takeout or going to a drive-through, more than doubled from 2019 to 2024.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2023
McDonald’s is, in essence, sponsoring the ultimate drive-through, as 200-mph race cars weave through downtown Chicago.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drive-through
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
See you in the drive-through line!
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The share of customers using delivery specifically, as opposed to picking up takeout or going to a drive-through, more than doubled from 2019 to 2024.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
The Easter ham dinner can also be ordered at the drive-through window from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $25, cash only, with no pre-order necessary.
—Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2023
McDonald’s is, in essence, sponsoring the ultimate drive-through, as 200-mph race cars weave through downtown Chicago.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drive-through
Cite this Entry
“Drive-through.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drive-through. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share