Driving
ˈdraɪvɪŋ
Definitions
5 meaningsTo control the movement of a vehicle (such as a car) or animal.
ˈdraɪvɪŋ
To control and operate a vehicle.
I am driving to the grocery store.
💡 Simply: Driving is like being the boss of a car! You steer it, press the gas pedal to go, and the brake to stop. Think of your favorite car, and you are driving!
👶 For kids: When you drive, you're in charge of a car or other vehicle and make it go where you want!
More Examples
He enjoys driving on the open road.
She drives a truck for a living.
How It's Used
"She is driving a car to work."
"The racer was driving at high speeds."
To control and move animals, often livestock, from one place to another.
ˈdraɪvɪŋ
To control the direction and movement of an animal.
The shepherd is driving the flock to the watering hole.
💡 Simply: Think of it like being a shepherd and guiding a bunch of sheep. You use your voice or tools to make them go where you want them to.
👶 For kids: Driving can also mean making animals like cows or horses move in a certain direction!
More Examples
They were driving the cattle through the canyon.
The farmer drives his cows to the barn every evening.
How It's Used
"The farmer was driving the sheep to the pasture."
"He drives the horses with reins."
To strongly influence or motivate someone to do something.
ˈdraɪvɪŋ
To urge or compel someone or something.
The need for a cure drove the scientists.
💡 Simply: Sometimes driving means pushing someone to do something, like a coach motivating a team to win!
👶 For kids: Driving can also mean making someone work hard or try their best!
More Examples
Ambition drove him to excellence.
Pressure is driving down prices.
How It's Used
"The manager is driving the team to achieve their goals."
"His ambition drove him to succeed."
The act or process of controlling and operating a vehicle.
ˈdraɪvɪŋ
The act of operating a vehicle.
She has been driving for ten years.
💡 Simply: Driving is the name of the game when you are the one controlling the car. It's all about steering and going where you want!
👶 For kids: Driving is when you're in charge of a car and making it go.
More Examples
Driving safety is very important.
I love the freedom of driving.
How It's Used
"Driving conditions were hazardous due to the weather."
"He enjoys long-distance driving."
Serving to propel or move something.
ˈdraɪvɪŋ
Relating to or used for the purpose of driving.
The driving shaft transmits power to the wheels.
💡 Simply: Something driving is what makes the machine, engine, or other device move.
👶 For kids: When something is driving, it means it makes something else go or work!
More Examples
The driving force of the engine is strong.
He's the driving influence of the company.
How It's Used
"The driving gear of the machine."
"The driving force behind this new product."
Idioms & expressions
driving force
The main influence or motivation behind something.
"Her ambition was the driving force behind her success."
driving school
An institution where people can learn to drive.
"He attended driving school to get his license."
driving rain
Heavy rain that is blown by the wind.
"We had to pull over because of the driving rain."
drive someone crazy/mad
To make someone very annoyed or irritated.
"His constant complaining drives me crazy."
From Middle English driven, past participle of driven, from Old English drīfan (“to drive”), from Proto-Germanic *drībaną.
The word "drive" and its derivatives have been used for centuries, initially referring to controlling animals, and later to controlling vehicles.
Memory tip
Imagine holding the steering wheel and pressing the gas pedal.
Word Origin
"To urge or compel"