: designed to allow patrons or customers to be served while remaining in their automobiles
a drive-up window

Examples of drive-up in a Sentence

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.
His team did create a drive-up testing site at a county events building next to the city park, and not far from the Masonic lodge. Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2025 The reality is the U.S. needs to import lumber, and tariffs will further drive-up prices on American consumers, particularly home-buyers. William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025 The current tariffs imposed by the Trump administration are expected to disrupt supply chains, eliminate jobs, and drive-up consumer prices, disproportionately affecting industries like manufacturing and agriculture that are vital to Southern states. Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 There is also a great deal of uncertainty surrounding key policies of the Trump administration—such as tariffs and mass deportations—which could further drive-up food prices. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 The tariffs are expected to heighten tensions between the nations and drive-up consumer prices on a range of goods. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025 The check was later reported forged at Citizens Bank’s downtown drive-up. Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025 In response, the Church improvised to allow people to go to confession with innovative solutions like drive-up confessions. Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024 Others waited hours in the drive-up line that stretched along Thomas Road from 31st Avenue to 53rd Avenue and down to the Interstate 10 exit. Lauren De Young, Arizona Republic, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drive-up was in 1949

Cite this Entry

“Drive-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drive-up. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

drive-up

adjective
ˈdrīv-ˌəp
: designed to allow customers to be served while remaining in their automobiles
a bank's drive-up window
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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