drive-in

UK: ˈdraɪv.ɪn | US: ˈdraɪv.ɪn

Definition

  1. n. A commercial establishment (e.g., restaurant, cinema) designed to serve customers who remain in their vehicles.

  2. adj. Relating to or designed for the use of people in vehicles (e.g., drive-in movie theater).

Structure
drive <to operate a vehicle>in <inside, within>
Etymology

The term "drive-in" emerged in the early 20th century (first recorded in 1929) as a compound of "drive" (from Old English drīfan, meaning "to propel forward") and "in" (Old English inn, denoting location). It reflects the rise of automobile culture in the U.S., where businesses adapted to serve customers without requiring them to exit their cars. The hyphen preserves the distinct morphemes while signaling their combined function as a single concept.

Examples

  1. We watched a classic film at the drive-in last weekend.

  2. Drive-in restaurants were especially popular in the 1950s.

  3. The pandemic revived interest in drive-in theaters for safe entertainment.

  4. She ordered a milkshake from the drive-in window.

  5. The drive-in bank allows transactions without leaving your car.