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.

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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

See Examples For:

drive-through drive-throughs

I obviously lost 15 points as well in Monaco with the drive-through penalty.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026

A now-famous blond woman of about 25 at a fast-food drive-through: “They have bible verses on the bottom of their cup!”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

The company plans to open more than 300 restaurants this year, many with drive-through “Chipotlanes,” which should help support its suburban expansion.

From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026

“We have a busy drive-through around that time and there were a lot of people there and a lot of people witnessed what happened.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026

Nan and I always did a drive-through in a new town, but our Hope Springs exploration didn’t last long because there wasn’t much to drive through.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

With mobile ordering and drive-throughs, it’s easier than ever to skip the stores.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 27, 2026

Intouch Insight’s tests found that drive-throughs with AI were faster and clearer, though customers also rated them as less friendly than actual humans.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026

At drive-throughs, Starbucks is testing a system to process orders and free up staff to focus on hospitality or making the coffees.

From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2026

The brand leans heavily on drive-throughs and a high-energy, community-driven brand that resonates with younger consumers.

From Barron's ● Dec. 31, 2025

“Because what’s the point, when I live in an era of fast food drive-throughs and instant noodle cups?”

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day