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.
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
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
"We've been inspired by some brand new owners that understood the risk and came up to the challenge, and are determined to maintain a drive-in theater business," said Vogel.
From Barron's • Oct. 11, 2025
Los Angeles, home of the nation’s first freeway and drive-in church, has long been ambivalent if not downright antagonistic toward paid parking.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2025
“People with cars are so lazy they don’t want to get out of them to eat!” said Jesse G. Kirby, the founder of an early drive-in restaurant chain.
From "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser
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.
