drop-in

1 of 2

noun

1
: a casual visit or brief stop
2
: one who drops in : a casual visitor

drop in

2 of 2

verb

dropped in; dropping in; drops in

intransitive verb

: to pay an unexpected or casual visit
often used with on

Examples of drop-in in a Sentence

Noun we're having open house for New Year's, and drop-ins are welcome to come and go as they please Verb drop in any time—we're always home
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.
Noun
The drop-in program is for children 3 to 8 years old with an accompanying adult. Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025 The Galiano Conservancy Association offers regular drop-in volunteer days where visitors can join restoration projects to remove invasive species or maintain trails on the island. The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025 Sessions are casual and small — usually with four to eight participants — and operate on a drop-in basis (though reservations are preferred). Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025 New York Democrat Representatives Adriano Espaillat and Nydia Velazquez tried to perform a drop-in check at a temporary detainment facility at 26 Federal Plaza in Tribeca Sunday afternoon, but said they were illegally denied entry by an official from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for drop-in

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drop-in was circa 1600

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Drop-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drop-in. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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