Driver
ˈdraɪvər
Definitions
3 meaningsA person who operates and controls the movement of a vehicle, such as a car, bus, or truck.
ˈdraɪvər
A person who operates a vehicle.
The bus driver announced the next stop.
💡 Simply: A driver is like the person in charge of the wheel. They steer the car and make it go where it needs to.
👶 For kids: A driver is someone who makes a car, bus, or truck go.
More Examples
The race car driver skillfully navigated the course.
A delivery driver brought the package to my door.
How It's Used
"The truck driver carefully maneuvered through the narrow streets."
"She works as a taxi driver, providing transportation for customers."
A device or component that controls or activates another device or system, or a club used in golf.
ˈdraɪvər
A tool or component that propels something.
The software driver is essential for the graphics card to function.
💡 Simply: Sometimes "driver" means something that makes other things work. Like a computer "driver" lets your computer talk to your printer.
👶 For kids: A driver is something that helps other things work, like a tool or a piece of code.
More Examples
He teed off with his driver, aiming for the fairway.
The driver is a crucial component for your computer's operation.
How It's Used
"The printer driver ensures proper communication between the computer and the printer."
"He used a driver to hit the golf ball a long distance."
A factor, force, or agent that initiates, impels, or influences a process or outcome.
ˈdraɪvər
A person or thing that causes something to happen.
Innovation is a key driver of economic growth.
💡 Simply: Sometimes 'driver' can be something that *makes* other things happen. It helps cause a result, like the reasons a company makes a profit are profit *drivers*.
👶 For kids: A driver is something that makes something else happen.
More Examples
The high demand was the main driver of the price increase.
Technological advancements are significant drivers of societal change.
How It's Used
"Profit is a major driver of company decisions."
"Social factors are drivers behind shifts in behavior"
Idioms & expressions
drive someone crazy
To irritate or annoy someone intensely.
"The noise from the construction site is driving me crazy."
driving force
The main influence or motivation behind something.
"Her ambition was the driving force behind her success."
drive a hard bargain
To be a tough negotiator; to insist on favorable terms in a deal.
"The car salesman was known to drive a hard bargain, so be prepared to negotiate."
From Middle English *drivere*, equivalent to drive + -er. The verb "drive" comes from Old English drīfan, meaning "to drive, urge, impel."
Historically, "driver" was used primarily in the context of animal-powered transportation, such as horse-drawn carriages. The advent of the automobile broadened the term's application.