driver

[drahy-ver]

noun

1. a person or thing that drives.

2. a person who drives a vehicle; coachman, chauffeur, etc.

3. a person who drives an animal or animals, as a drover or cowboy.

4. Also called number one wood. Golf.,  a club with a wooden head whose face has almost no slope, for hitting long, low drives from the tee.

5. Machinery.

   1. a part that transmits force or motion.

   2. the member of a pair of connected pulleys, gears, etc., that is nearer to the power source.

6. Computers.,  software or hardware that controls the interface between a computer and a peripheral device.

7. Railroads.,  driving wheel.

8. British.,  a locomotive engineer.

9. Audio.

   1. the part of a loudspeaker that transforms the electrical signal into sound.

   2. the entire loudspeaker.

10. Nautical.

    1. a jib-headed spanker sail.

    2. a designation given to one of the masts abaft the mizzen on a sailing vessel having more than three masts, either the fifth or sixth from forward.

driver

/ ˈdraɪvə /

noun

1. a person who drives a vehicle

2. in a position of control

3. a person who drives animals

4. a mechanical component that exerts a force on another to produce motion

5. golf a club, a No. 1 wood, with a large head and deep face for tee shots

6. electronics a circuit whose output provides the input of another circuit

7. computing a computer program that controls a device

8. something that creates and fuels activity, or gives force or impetus

Other Word Forms

• driverless adjective
• nondriver noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of driver¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, driver is from the Middle English word drivere. See drive, -er ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see backseat driver; in the driver's seat.

Example Sentences

Swansea Crown Court heard on Wednesday that, when ordered to leave the taxi, driver Geraint Jones did not think Daniel was serious until he saw the scissors close to his stomach.

From BBC

The prosecution said the girls were abused, degraded and then "discarded" by the paedophiles, who worked either at the market or as taxi drivers.

From BBC

A new era in commuting begins today for clean-air vehicles with new rules that kick solo drivers out of California carpool lanes and uncertainty over how it will impact commute times and traffic.

From Los Angeles Times

You’ll need to enter a California driver’s license or ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

From Los Angeles Times

The majority of those driving past us flashed their lights, waved, or nodded in support, including the driver of a giant Pepsi delivery truck.

From Salon

Related Words

• chauffeur 
• jockey 
• motorist 
• operator 
• trainer