driver

noun

driv·​er ˈdrī-vər How to pronounce driver (audio)
: one that drives: such as
a
b
: the operator of a motor vehicle
c
: an implement (such as a hammer) for driving
d
: a mechanical piece for imparting motion to another piece
e
: one that provides impulse or motivation
a driver in this economy
f
: a golf wood with a nearly straight face used in driving
g
: an electronic circuit that supplies input to another electronic circuit
also : loudspeaker
h
: a piece of computer software that controls input and output operations
driverless adjective

Examples of driver in a Sentence

Who was the driver at the time of the accident? We told the taxi driver to take us to the library. He likes to sit at the front of the bus, near the driver. There's a problem with the printer's driver.
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.
Alex Palou, driver of the #10 DHL Team Ganassi Honda drives during the NTT INDYCAR Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 02, 2025 in St Petersburg, Florida. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025 Fans filled the grandstands east of the pit stops on Columbus Drive and lined the fences along the rest of the 2.2-mile lakefront course, many wincing as drivers roared past at more than 100 mph. Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025 The 26-year-old driver, police said, was uninjured. Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2025 At UConn, programs like hockey and baseball will likely be prioritized as the biggest revenue drivers behind basketball and football. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for driver

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of driver was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Driver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/driver. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

driver

noun
driv·​er ˈdrī-vər How to pronounce driver (audio)
: one that drives: as
a
: the operator of a motor vehicle
b
: a tool for driving
a nail driver
c
: a golf club having a usually wooden head with a nearly straight face

More from Merriam-Webster on driver

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!