drive-through

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Of an establishment, providing service to occupants of automobiles while they are in…

   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.

   • I switched banks so that I could use a drive-through branch near my home.
2. 2

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

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

   • The restaurant’s drive-through window had a turntable of bulletproof glass designed to allow transactions while preventing robberies.
3. 3

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

   • Since I was pressed for time, I picked up burgers at a drive-through on the way home.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      The window of such an establishment adapted for such purpose.

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

The neighborhood

• neighborcurb service
• neighbordrive-by