drive-in

[drahyv-in] /ˈdraɪvˌɪn/
noun
1.
a motion-picture theater, refreshment stand, bank, or other public facility designed to accommodate patrons in their automobiles.
adjective
2.
of, relating to, or characteristic of such an establishment:
Drive-in business far exceeded walk-in business.
Origin
1925-30, Americanism; noun, adj. use of verb phrase drive in
Examples from the web for drive-in
  • They see a drive-in movie screen in the distance, which the narrator mistakes for an angelic visitation.
  • When the bank pulled out, the family whose drive-in was destroyed by heavy winds bought the building with their insurance money.
  • The number of amenities available to drive-in campers depends on the campground.
  • Another blatant oversight is leaving a neon sign brightly lit after a violent tornado thrashes a drive-in movie theater.
  • There is no need to speak of the automobile, superb for drive-in banking, exasperating for other uses.
  • No other restaurant type has a closer affiliation with the car than the drive-in restaurant.
British Dictionary definitions for drive-in

drive-in

adjective
1.
denoting a public facility or service designed to be used by patrons seated in their cars: a drive-in bank
noun
2.
(mainly US & Canadian) a cinema designed to be used in such a manner
Word Origin and History for drive-in
adj.

in reference to of restaurants, banks, etc., 1929; from drive (v.) + in. Of movie theaters by 1933 (the year the first one opened, in Camden, N.J.).

Slang definitions & phrases for drive-in

drive-in

modifier

: drive-in bank/ drive-in church/ drive-in movie

noun

A place where one eats, watches movies, worships, etc, while sitting in one's parked car (1930+)