Pronunciation: ' dr ī v
Function: verb
Inflected Form: drove \ ' dr ō v \ ; driv · en \ ' dri-v ə n \ ; driv · ing \ ' dr ī -vi ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English dr ī fan; akin to Old High German tr ī ban 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 < drive s 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 drive s 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 \ ˌ dr ī -v ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– driv · able also drive · able \ ' dr ī -v ə -b ə l \ adjective
– drive at : to intend to express, convey, or accomplish <did not understand what she was driving at ― Eric Goldman>