driver

[ drahy-ver ]

noun

1. a person or thing that drives.
2. a person who drives a vehicle; coachman, chauffeur, etc.
3. a person who drives an animal or animals, as a drover or cowboy.
4. Also called number one wood. Golf. a club with a wooden head whose face has almost no slope, for hitting long, low drives from the tee.
5. Machinery.
   1. a part that transmits force or motion.
   2. the member of a pair of connected pulleys, gears, etc., that is nearer to the power source.
6. Computers. software or hardware that controls the interface between a computer and a peripheral device.
7. Railroads. driving wheel ( def 2 ).
8. British. a locomotive engineer.
9. Audio.
   1. the part of a loudspeaker that transforms the electrical signal into sound.
   2. the entire loudspeaker.
10. Nautical.
    1. a jib-headed spanker sail.
    2. a designation given to one of the masts abaft the mizzen on a sailing vessel having more than three masts, either the fifth or sixth from forward. Compare pusher ( def 4 ), spanker ( def 1b ).

driver

/ ˈdraɪvə /

noun

1. a person who drives a vehicle
2. in the driver's seat
   in a position of control
3. a person who drives animals
4. a mechanical component that exerts a force on another to produce motion
5. golf a club, a No. 1 wood, with a large head and deep face for tee shots
6. electronics a circuit whose output provides the input of another circuit
7. computing a computer program that controls a device
8. something that creates and fuels activity, or gives force or impetus

Derived Forms

• ˈdriverless, adjective

Other Words From

• driv·er·less adjective
• non·driv·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of driver¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, driver is from the Middle English word drivere. See drive, -er ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see backseat driver ; in the driver's seat .

Example Sentences

The driver of the bus has been taken to hospital as a precaution, Cambridgeshire Police said.

From BBC

The fire service said its firefighters arrived at the scene to find a bus in a ditch and they assisted the driver from the vehicle.

From BBC

I had been investigating climate change as a new driver of both large-scale migration around the world and of potential conflict.

From Salon

"Earnings growth is a much bigger driver than merely election outcomes or who’s in control"

From Salon

“Our data have shown us over time, it’s really still about the economy, and earnings growth is a much bigger driver than merely election outcomes or who’s in control,” said Rob Haworth, senior investment strategy director for U.S.

From Salon

Related Words

• chauffeur
• jockey
• motorist
• operator
• trainer