: an establishment (such as a theater or restaurant) so laid out that patrons can be accommodated while remaining in their automobiles
drive-in
adjective
Examples of drive-in in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wednesday, April 3 Brews and the Big Screen at Angelika Pop-Up
The latest retro film series around Union Market isn’t a drive-in, but weekly screenings at the Angelika Pop-Up.
—
Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
For decades, one of the tastiest indicators of summer in Wisconsin has been the opening of drive-in hamburger and frozen custard stands for the season.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2024
Yelp users — 770 of them — rated the drive-in an average of 3.7 stars.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 27 Mar. 2024
Brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened a drive-in restaurant in Pasadena in 1937, a few years before starting the first McDonald’s in San Bernardino.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Previously:Suds drive-in returning for business in Greenwood When is Suds Drive In restaurant of Greenwood opening?
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024
The decor is an amusingly mixed homage to local landmarks such as the Pleasant Hill Motor Movies drive-in theater, which stood on this site before demolition in the 1970s.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024
Nite Owl Drive In, Milwaukee: A traditional drive-in that's open from late March into November, Nite Owl has been in business at 830 E. Layton Ave.
—Jessica Rodriguez, Journal Sentinel, 29 Feb. 2024
The 275 parking spaces help make up what is one of the last drive-in theaters left in Michigan.
—Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024
Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
For decades, one of the tastiest indicators of summer in Wisconsin has been the opening of drive-in hamburger and frozen custard stands for the season.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2024
Yelp users — 770 of them — rated the drive-in an average of 3.7 stars.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 27 Mar. 2024
Brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened a drive-in restaurant in Pasadena in 1937, a few years before starting the first McDonald’s in San Bernardino.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Previously:Suds drive-in returning for business in Greenwood When is Suds Drive In restaurant of Greenwood opening?
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024
The decor is an amusingly mixed homage to local landmarks such as the Pleasant Hill Motor Movies drive-in theater, which stood on this site before demolition in the 1970s.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024
Nite Owl Drive In, Milwaukee: A traditional drive-in that's open from late March into November, Nite Owl has been in business at 830 E. Layton Ave.
—Jessica Rodriguez, Journal Sentinel, 29 Feb. 2024
The 275 parking spaces help make up what is one of the last drive-in theaters left in Michigan.
—Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drive-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1931, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near drive-in
Cite this Entry
“Drive-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drive-in. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
drive-in
nounˈdrī-ˌvin
: a business (as a movie theater or restaurant) set up so that customers can be served or provided for while remaining in their automobiles
drive-in
adjective
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