drive-in
Americannoun
adjective
adjective
noun
Etymology
Origin of drive-in
An Americanism first recorded in 1925–30; noun, adjective use of verb phrase drive in
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While Mr. Fryer was bagging produce as a teenager at Albertsons, I was slinging barbecue sandwiches over a steam table at our local drive-in to help cover my upcoming college expenses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 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
To try to keep drive-in theaters alive, his association created a web site that seeks to match drive-in owners who want out with potential buyers who want in.
From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 2025
Watching it, I felt as snug as being nestled in the backseat of my grandparents’ car at the drive-in.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2025
“I guarantee it’s a drive-in movie at my front window.”
From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
