driving

DRY-ving/ˈdɹaɪvɪŋ/

6 meanings of driving

1
operating vehiclesnoununcountable
The act of controlling and steering a car, truck, or other motor vehicle.
Driving in heavy snow makes her very nervous.
He gave up driving after his eyesight got worse.
UsageOne trip is a drive. Driving is the activity: he likes driving.
2
verb
Present participle and gerund of drive. Use it for an action in progress at any time, or to name the activity.
She is driving to the store right now.
We were driving for hours before we found the hotel.
Note
3
force behindadjective
Giving the power that makes a machine or process work.
Like the engine that makes a car move.
The driving wheel turns the rest of the gears.
A driving force behind the change was public anger.
UsageMost often in driving force behind something.
Similarmotivating
4
forcefuladjective
Blowing or falling hard, like strong wind or heavy rain.
Like rain that feels as if it is being thrown at you.
Driving rain lashed the windows all night.
They struggled forward against the driving wind.
UsageMostly with weather: driving rain, driving wind.
Similarpelting, torrential
Oppositegentle, light
5
noununcountable
The act of doing what the word 'drive' means, in any of its meanings.
The driving of the cattle northward lasted three weeks.
The driving of the herd to the river took two days.
UsageUsually the driving of something: the driving of the cattle.
Note

Less common meaning

6
tee shotsnoununcountable
In golf, hitting the ball a long way, usually from the tee toward the green.
His driving off the tee improved after months of practice.
Strong driving gave her an early lead in the match.
Note

driving is a form of drive

drive, verb: To control a car or other vehicle, or to go somewhere in a car that you are controlling. Full entry

Forms: drivedrives he/she/itdriving -ing formdrove past tensedriven past participle
Spelling: drive → driving: drop the e, add -ing

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 2–4

From an Old English word meaning "driving," the present participle of the verb "drive."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Driving descends from Old English drīfende. en.wiktionary.org
The Old English form is the present participle of drīfan, meaning ‘drive’. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 1, 5–6

From Middle English, made from the verb "drive" plus the ending "-ing."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Driving comes from Middle English. en.wiktionary.org
Driving is formed from the verb drive plus the suffix -ing. en.wiktionary.org