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.

---

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

The Forest of Dean could soon get its first drive through KFC, but Gloucestershire Live reported some residents were concerned it could "blight the area's beauty".

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

He said groups of armed security forces who have "taken control of the streets" drive through Tehran at night "honking and carrying flags".

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 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

“I don’t even drive through that town,” he said.

From "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie