drive-through

American  

[drahyv-throo] / ˈdraɪvˌθru /

Informal, drive-thru

noun

drive-throughs plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• drive-throughs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of drive-through

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

Example Sentences

Humans probably know not to drive through a construction zone.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

When I say I’m working the whole year it is mostly the summer, when I was able to actually drive through all these areas that I’m describing in the book, and concentrate on the writing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

In Scotland, the police cautioned road users not to try to drive through closed roads because of the treacherous conditions.

From Barron's • Jan. 5, 2026

But the deal would require the US to engage hard with Russia, setting up negotiating teams, using its power to drive through agreement.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2025

If they could not drive through, they would walk.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson