driver

American  

[drahy-ver] / ˈdraɪ vər /

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.

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.

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driver British  

/ ˈdraɪvə /

noun

1. a person who drives a vehicle

2. 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

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driver Idioms  

1. see backseat driver; in the driver's seat.

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Other Word Forms

• driverless adjective
• nondriver noun

Etymology

Origin of driver

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

Example Sentences

Related: $4 gas is here — but one group of drivers could cruise through this ‘psychological wall’

From MarketWatch

Long a key growth driver—and Nike’s biggest market outside North America—China has become a thorn in its turnaround efforts as Nike faces fiercer local competition and cooling consumer demand.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s not unreasonable for drivers to be upset about high fuel prices and for policymakers to want to tackle the issue.

From MarketWatch

According to Rideshare Drivers United, the union that represents rideshare drivers, algorithmic wages have been shaping pay for that industry’s workers for years.

From MarketWatch

And an Italian teenager, Kimi Antonelli, leads the Formula One standings with an eye on the country’s first drivers’ title in over 70 years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• chauffeur
• jockey
• motorist
• operator
• trainer