driver

American  

[drahy-ver] / ˈdraɪ vər /

noun

• drivers
  plural

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.

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driver British  

/ 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

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driver Idioms  

1. see backseat driver; in the driver's seat.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nondriver
  noun
• driverless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• drivers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of driver

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

driver drivers

Some analysts say glasses offer a chance to diversify beyond Snap’s core app long-term, though they are unlikely to be a meaningful driver of growth in the near term.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

Forest Service said in an update that evening: “Steep terrain and thick fuels remain the primary driver of fire behavior.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

The driver of the Mini, James Bingham, was pronounced dead at the scene.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

The race was unique in that it owed its existence to the popularity of one driver - Max Verstappen.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

A driver delivers food to a house across the street.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Telematics had the potential to offer the lowest premiums for drivers with spotty driving records who improved their driving habits, but opponents contended it violated Proposition 103, the 1988 initiative that regulates auto rates.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

Uber taxi drivers in Nigeria have long complained that prices on the app are too low, given the rising cost of fuel, and that commission charges are too high.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

Uber drivers are compensated at varying rates in different countries, and many have complained of not receiving adequate compensation for their work and the use of their vehicles.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

Gasoline demand, meanwhile, is expected to decline over the long term as drivers buy more electric vehicles and engines become more efficient.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

Their vests were like capes, and their whistles blew some kind of magic tone that forced drivers to hit brakes.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds

Related Words

• chauffeur
• jockey
• motorist
• operator
• trainer