drive

Formsdrives, driving, drove, driven

Pluraldrives

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To control a car or other vehicle, or to go somewhere in a car that you are controlling.

   She drives a big delivery truck for her job.

   Can you drive my car to the garage?

   UsageYou drive a car, but you ride a bike.

   Similaroperate

2. 2
   car tripnouncountable

   A trip you take in a car or other vehicle.

   We went for a long drive through the mountains.

   The drive to grandma's house takes about two hours.

   UsageSay go for a drive. A town can be an hour's drive away.

   Similartrip, ride, spin

   Note
3. 3
   transportverbtransitive

   To take someone somewhere in a car or other vehicle.

   Could you drive me to the train station?

   Every morning she drives the children to school.

   UsageSay drive someone home or to school.

   Similartake

4. 4
   nouncountable

   The part of a computer that stores data or reads discs, such as a hard drive.

   Like a filing cabinet that keeps your computer's files safe.

   I saved all my photos onto an external drive.

   The new laptop has a fast drive with lots of space.

   UsageSay hard drive. You save files on a drive.

   Similardisk

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To push something toward a certain point, level, or result.

   Like pushing a number higher and higher.

   High demand can drive prices up quickly.

   The new rules drive costs higher for everyone.

   UsageOften drive prices up: make them go higher.

   Similarpush, force, propel, steer

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To make someone do something because of strong feelings, needs, or pressure.

   Like a push from behind that keeps you moving toward a goal.

   Her love of animals drives her to help at the shelter.

   Good teachers can drive students to do their best.

   UsageSay something drives you to work hard. An ambitious person is driven.

   Similarmotivate, push, spur, impel, propel

7. 7
   verbtransitive

   To make someone or something end up in a certain state or situation.

   Like pushing something until it finally changes.

   The constant noise can drive you crazy.

   Long delays drive many travelers to anger.

   UsageSay it drives me crazy: it annoys me a lot.

   Similarpush, reduce, bring, force

   Note
8. 8
   verbtransitive

   To push or force animals or people to move forward.

   Like herding ducks toward a gate.

   Cowboys drive the cattle to fresh grass each spring.

   The dog helped drive the sheep into the pen.

   UsageSay drive animals to or out of a place.

   Similarherd, goad

   Note
9. 9
   power a machineverbtransitive

   To make a machine or part work by giving it power.

   A small motor drives the toy's wheels.

   Falling water can drive the mill's wheel.

   Similaroperate, move

10. 10
    power systemnouncountable or uncountable

    The part of a machine that makes it move or gives it power.

    This machine uses a belt drive to turn its blades.

    The front-wheel drive helps the car grip the road.

    UsageOften four-wheel drive or front-wheel drive.

    Similarengine, gear

    Note
11. 11
    public roadnouncountable

    A public road or street, often a wide or scenic one.

    They live on a quiet drive near the park.

    The city opened a new scenic drive along the cliffs.

    UsageOften part of a street name: Ocean Drive.

    Similarroad, street, avenue, boulevard

12. 12
    ambitionnoununcountable

    A strong wish to work hard and reach your goals.

    Like an engine inside you that keeps you going.

    Her drive to succeed helped her finish college early.

    You need real drive to start your own business.

    UsageSay someone has drive: they work hard to succeed.

    Similarambition, motivation, grit, verve

    Oppositelaziness, inertia, sloth

13. 13
    urgenouncountable

    A strong feeling that makes you want something.

    Like a thirst that pushes you to find water.

    Hunger is a basic drive that all animals share.

    His drive for adventure took him around the world.

    UsageOften in sex drive.

    Similardesire, urge, impulse, impetus

    Note
14. 14
    verbtransitive

    To push or move something by using force.

    Like pushing a toy car to make it roll forward.

    The strong wind can drive the boat across the lake.

    Workers drive the posts into the ground with a heavy hammer.

    UsageSay drive a nail into wood.

    Similarpush, force

15. 15
    nouncountable

    A planned effort by a group to get something done, like raising money or collecting things.

    Our school held a food drive for local families.

    The book drive collected over a thousand donations.

    UsageOften a food drive or a blood drive.

    Note
16. 16
    verbtransitive

    To carry on an activity and keep it going, such as a business.

    Grandma knows how to drive a hard bargain at the market.

    She drives the family business with great energy.

    UsageSay drive a hard bargain: push hard to get a deal that suits you.

    Similarpursue, continue

17. 17
    verbintransitive

    In cricket, tennis, or baseball, to hit the ball hard with the kind of shot called a drive.

    The batter stepped forward and drove hard, sending the ball along the grass to the edge of the field.

    Our coach told us to drive low over the net.

    Note
18. 18
    nouncountable

    Moving a group of farm animals from one place to another by making them go forward together.

    The farmers started the drive early, taking the sheep to the hills before the day got hot.

    We watched a cattle drive cross the river near our town.

    UsageOften a cattle drive.

    Similardrove

    Note

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