drive-through

1 of 2

adjective

variants or less commonly drive-thru

drive-through

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly drive-thru
: a drive-through establishment (such as a restaurant or bank)
also : the drive-through window at such an establishment

Examples of drive-through in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Add that to comfort-food classics, and opting for convenience in the drive-through isn’t always a difficult choice. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 17 June 2026 There would also be a drive-through queue capable of accommodating 18 vehicles. Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Noun
But, after delivering me to my destination, the car turned in to a crowded In-N-Out Burger drive-through lane, which can take more than an hour to pass through. Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 UVeye was founded in 2016 by Israeli brothers Amir and Ohad Hever, using its drive-through inspection technology at international borders to check vehicles for contraband, but soon expanded to more commercial uses. Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for drive-through

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1918, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drive-through was in 1918

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drive-through.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drive-through. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

drive-through

adjective
ˈdrīv-ˌthrü
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