drive-through

American  

[drahyv-throo] / ˈdraɪvˌθru /

Informal, drive-thru

noun

1. the act of driving through a specified locality or place, especially driving into a place of business, completing a transaction from one's car, and driving out.

   a quick drive-through of Beverly Hills;

   The bank has outside tellers' windows to accept deposits by drive-through.

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adjective

1. designed to accommodate or arranged for a drive-through.

   This gas station has a drive-through car wash.

Etymology

Origin of drive-through

First recorded in 1970–75; noun and adjectival use of verb phrase drive through

Example Sentences

As the Iran conflict stretches into a second month, clothing stores and restaurants, particularly of the drive-through variety, are now more likely to feel the pain of rising gas prices as tax refunds appear to have peaked.

From MarketWatch

Citing a recent report from Revenue Management Solutions that examined purchases from 2022 to 2026, they said a $1 increase in gas prices can translate to roughly six fewer drive-through customers a day.

From MarketWatch

Cheaper quick-service chains, and those located in cities, were less vulnerable to rising gas prices than those geared toward drive-through service and customers making longer drives to their locations.

From MarketWatch

Dutch Bros, the fast-growing drive-through brand, gets nearly two-thirds of its visits after the morning rush.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now it’s owned by a dairy cooperative but for decades, the Stueve family catered to local tastes and habits, like drive-through dairy windows.

From Los Angeles Times