all-wheel drive

British

noun

a system used in motor vehicles in which all four (or more) wheels are permanently connected to the source of power, in such a way that each wheel is able to rotate at a different speed See also four-wheel drive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For an additional $4,850, CX-50 buyers can opt for the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, three electric motors, continuously variable transmission, and hybrid all-wheel drive, using an independent rear traction motor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

With decades of experience with all-wheel drive — Subaru was once considered quirky for its standard all-wheel drive — the Subaru Symmetrical AWD system operates transparently.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 26, 2025

The “Standard” version still has the panoramic glass roof, part of the reason that Weaver thinks it’s the best option for most buyers—unless they want the all-wheel drive Performance trim, which starts at about $55,000.

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

According to Edmunds, the Niro Plug-in Hybrid has impressive fuel economy and stylish interior design, but lacks all-wheel drive.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2025

In other words, the trains operate like an all-wheel drive rather than just a front-wheel drive.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023