drive-by

[ drahyv-bahy ]

noun

, plural drive-bys.

1. the action of driving by a specified locality, object, etc.:

   a drive-by of Nelson's Monument.

2. a drive-by shooting:

   The gang member was killed in a drive-by.

adjective

1. consisting of or featuring a drive-by:

   We boarded the sightseeing bus for a drive-by tour of the nation's capital.

2. occurring while driving past a person, object, etc.:

   a drive-by shooting.

3. casual; superficial; offhand:

   a drive-by news analysis.

4. involving a brief stay in a hospital, clinic, etc.:

   a drive-by mastectomy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of drive-by¹

Noun, adj. use of verb phrase drive by

Example Sentences

On Sept. 7, 1996, Tupac was targeted and killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.

From The Daily Beast

The archaeologists I did connect with were not interested in drive-by interviews.

From The Daily Beast

The following year, both Tupac and B.I.G. were killed in similar drive-by shootings—Tupac in Las Vegas, and B.I.G. in Los Angeles.

From The Daily Beast

A suicide bomber with cold feet, a road machinery operator with a vengeance and drive-by shooters have Israelis on edge.

From The Daily Beast

More, his drive-by shouting has had the complete adverse effect, building into the most unlikely of successful comedy careers.

From The Daily Beast