drive-in

American  

[drahyv-in] / ˈdraɪvˌɪn /

noun

1. a place of business or public facility designed to accommodate patrons who sit in their automobiles, as a movie theater with an outdoor screen facing the parking area or a restaurant where servers bring food out to be eaten in the parked automobiles.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of such an establishment.

   Drive-in business far exceeded walk-in business.

drive-in British  

adjective

1. denoting a public facility or service designed to be used by patrons seated in their cars

   a drive-in bank

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noun

1. a cinema designed to be used in such a manner

Etymology

Origin of drive-in

An Americanism first recorded in 1925–30; noun, adjective use of verb phrase drive in

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

drive-in

Behind the concertina wire encircling the bases, Germans could experience American bowling alleys and drive-in theaters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026

In the diner, for example, the speakers play outdoor sounds including crickets to create a real drive-in movie atmosphere.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2026

And drive-in chain Sonic has encouraged customers to “make it dirty” by ordering creamer and mix-ins with their sodas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 5, 2026

Film buffs sit snugly in cars watching a drive-in movie, munching popcorn on a lovely recent fall night.

From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 2025

At the drive-in, we find Amanda and Roamer, who are parked in Roamer’s car.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven

Related Words

• amphitheater
• arena
• auditorium
• cinema
• concert hall
• drama
• hall
• house
• movie
• movie house
• opera house
• playhouse
• room
• scene
• site
• theatre