Looking for the meaning of the word DRIVES in English for both noun and verb forms from the Oxford Dictionary? Below, you can explore all possible meanings and definitions of DRIVES with sentence examples. You can also use the “AUDIO PRONUNCIATION” track to check the correct pronunciation in British English.
Word: Drive
Speech Type: Verb
Old English drīfan ‘urge (a person or animal) to go forward’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch drijven and German treiben
drʌɪv
operate and control the direction and speed of a motor vehicle
Short Definition:operate motor vehicle
Examples:- he got into his car and drove off
- they drove back into town
- she drove aimlessly for hours
propel or carry along by force in a specified direction
Short Definition:propel by force
Examples:- the wind will drive you onshore
urge or force (animals or people) to move in a specified direction
Short Definition:urge in specified direction
Examples:- they drove a flock of sheep through the centre of the city
- the French infantry were driven back
(of a source of power) provide the energy to set and keep (an engine or piece of machinery) in motion
Short Definition:provide energy to move machine
Examples:- a two-litre engine drives the front wheels
- turbines driven by steam
(of a fact or feeling) compel (someone) to act in a particular way, especially one that is considered undesirable or inappropriate
Short Definition:(of feeling etc.) compel to act
Examples:- he was driven by ambition
- some people are driven to murder their tormentors
(in ball games) hit or kick (the ball) hard with a free swing of the bat, racket, or foot
Short Definition:hit or kick ball
Examples:- from the free kick Owen drove the ball past the keeper
Word: Drive
Speech Type: Noun
drʌɪv
a trip or journey in a car
Short Definition:trip or journey in car
Examples:- they went for a drive in the country
a short road leading from a public road to a house or other building
Short Definition:short road leading up to house
Examples:- from the window he could see right down the weedy drive to the front gate
an innate, biologically determined urge to attain a goal or satisfy a need
Short Definition:innate urge
Examples:- emotional and sexual drives
an organized effort by a number of people to achieve a purpose
Short Definition:organized effort to achieve something
Examples:- a recruitment drive by the police
the transmission of power to machinery or to the wheels of a motor vehicle
Short Definition:transmission of power to machinery or wheels
Examples:- he experimented with chain drive to run the propeller
(in ball games) a forceful stroke made with a free swing of the bat, racket, or foot against the ball
Short Definition:forceful stroke in ball games
Examples:- a hard drive to left field
an act of driving a group of animals to a particular destination
Short Definition:act of driving group of animals
Examples:- cattle were no longer taken on long drives, but were delivered by rail
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