Standard Lemma guide

drive-through

adj · noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ˈdɹaɪvˌθɹu/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Of an establishment, providing service to occupants of automobiles while they are in their still-running vehicle, especially when the vehicle does not park in a parking space and the goods received are not consumed until the vehicle vacates the lane.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • I switched banks so that I could use a drive-through branch near my home.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Of a feature of such an establishment (especially a window), adapted to provide such service.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • The restaurant’s drive-through window had a turntable of bulletproof glass designed to allow transactions while preventing robberies.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

An establishment, especially a restaurant, providing drive-through service.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Since I was pressed for time, I picked up burgers at a drive-through on the way home.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

The window of such an establishment adapted for such purpose.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • “Please pull forward and pay at the drive-through,” said the attendant upon taking my order.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Deverbal from drive through.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: con servicarro — of an establishment
  • Spanish: de servicarro — of a feature of such an establishment
  • Chinese Mandarin: 得來速 /得来速 (déláisù) — establishment providing drive-through service
  • Finnish: autokaistaravintola — establishment providing drive-through service
  • French: drive — establishment providing drive-through service
  • French: drive-in — establishment providing drive-through service
  • French: service au volant — establishment providing drive-through service
  • German: Drive-in-Restaurant — establishment providing drive-through service
  • German: Drive-Thru — establishment providing drive-through service
  • Japanese: ドライブスルー (doraibusurū) — establishment providing drive-through service
  • Korean: 드라이브스루 (deuraibeuseuru) — establishment providing drive-through service
  • Portuguese: drive-thru — establishment providing drive-through service
  • Russian: драйв-сру́ (drajv-srú) — establishment providing drive-through service
  • Russian: драйв-и́н (drajv-ín) — establishment providing drive-through service
  • Russian: автокафе́ (avtokafé) — establishment providing drive-through service
  • Spanish: servicarro — establishment providing drive-through service
  • Spanish: drive in (draiv in) — establishment providing drive-through service
Real reading context

drive-through in complete knowledge articles