drove

¹

[ drohv ]

verb

1. simple past tense of drive.

drove

²

[ drohv ]

noun

1. a number of oxen, sheep, or swine driven in a group; herd; flock.
2. Usually droves. a large crowd of human beings, especially in motion:

   They came to Yankee Stadium in droves.

3. Also called drove chis·el. Masonry. a chisel, from 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) broad at the edge, for dressing stones to an approximately true surface.

verb (used with or without object)

, droved, drov·ing.

1. to drive or deal in (cattle) as a drover; herd.
2. Masonry. to work or smooth (stone) as with a drove.

drove

¹

/ drəʊv /

noun

1. a herd of livestock being driven together
2. often plural a moving crowd of people
3. a narrow irrigation channel
4. Also calleddrove chisel a chisel with a broad edge used for dressing stone

verb

1. 1. tr to drive (a group of livestock), usually for a considerable distance
   2. intr to be employed as a drover
2. to work (a stone surface) with a drove

drove

²

/ drəʊv /

verb

1. the past tense of drive

Word History and Origins

Origin of drove¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English; Old English drāf “that which is driven,” i.e., “herd, flock”; akin to drive

Word History and Origins

Origin of drove¹

Old English drāf herd; related to Middle Low German drēfwech cattle pasture; see drive , drift

Synonym Study

See flock ¹.

Example Sentences

After I talked to the chispitas, I drove to the offices of Unite Here Local 11 in Garden Grove, which also helped Tran.

From Los Angeles Times

This was not a Dodgers town when Ohtani drove up the freeway from Anaheim this winter.

From Los Angeles Times

What challenges have you faced throughout your career that drove you to that moment of delivering so much power to so many people?

From Salon

The court heard that on the morning of the attack, Thomas' grandmother, Sharon Burton, drove him to Llandaff, and she described him becoming "more and more agitated" and sending several text messages.

From BBC

Their efficiency prevented defenders from sagging off to contest UCLA’s most prolific offensive weapon, who continually drove the open lanes that invited a Mack attack.

From Los Angeles Times