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drive

drive

272 3.3
A device that stores or reads data on a computer
  • noun
  • /draɪv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : unidad de almacenamiento
  • Make sure to eject the hard drive safely before unplugging it from the computer.
  • hard drive
  • disk drive
  • flash drive

I think we used Google Drive and we were sharing a lot that way.

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Examples

  • The lab is quite large, comprising banks of processors, disk drives, test bays, and prototype assembly areas.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I'm going to find some music on my drive and add this to the mix.

  • It's not on the hard drive.

  • OK, half of the drives are out, yes.

  • So I have a main drive that I call Alpha Miles.

  • It's now very easy to exchange the boot drive on this PC.

  • When I booted the drive, this is what came up.

  • The hard drive is in your inbox on the desk.

  • Back up your files using flash drives or external hard drives.

    Academic text (2012)
  • So let's boot from the USB drive and start Linux Mint.

Synonyms

hard drive
vsdrive
  • Specialized
106 2.8

A device inside a computer that stores files and lets you open them

is any device that reads or writes various storage media
disk drive
vsdrive
  • Specialized
6 3.5

A device in a computer that holds and spins a disk to read or write data

is broader and covers reader devices for many media types
storage device
vsdrive
  • Specialized
5 3.5

A thing that stores computer files, like a hard drive or USB stick

is a device that actively reads or writes data on media
internal drive
vsdrive
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A device inside a computer that stores files, like a hard drive or solid-state drive

is used for any reader or writer device inside or outside a computer

Idioms

158 3.2

Make someone very annoyed or upset

To cause people to argue or become divided on purpose

Leave a place happily at the end of a story or event

To find big holes in a law or plan and use them

To end something completely so it cannot continue

9.9

To drive in a very dangerous way that puts other people at risk

6.0

To make a car go very fast and in a dangerous way

Compounds

hard drive
  • Specialized
106 2.8

A device inside a computer that stores files and lets you open them

39 3.7

Place where people stay in their cars to eat or watch a movie

37 2.5

A car trip that takes a long time

sex drive
  • NSFW
25 4.2

A natural desire to have sex

23 2.5

A place, like a restaurant or bank, where you buy things without leaving your car

22 2.7

A short ride in a car to see how it feels and works

19 5.9

A gun attack from a moving car that hits people outside

16 7.9

A quick, friendly praise given to someone in passing

four-wheel drive
  • Specialized
16 3.4

A system that powers all four wheels for better grip on rough or slippery ground

12 4.2

A hard hit in baseball that flies straight and low

disk drive
  • Specialized
6 3.5

A device in a computer that holds and spins a disk to read or write data

4 6.3

A trip moving a large group of cows, often on horseback, over long distances

CD-ROM drive
  • Archaic
2 3.7

A device in or connected to a computer that reads data from CDs

A device you connect to a computer by cable to save files

tape drive
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A machine that reads and writes data on magnetic tape to save copies of files

internal drive
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A device inside a computer that stores files, like a hard drive or solid-state drive

1 2.7

A part of a computer or music player that reads CDs

1 2.8

A regular car trip to and from work each day

drive-by killing
  • Offensive
1 8.5

An act of shooting someone to death from a moving car

A planned event to collect money for a cause

1 7.4

A hard, straight hit into the outfield that lets the batter reach second base

1 6.6

A base hit made by hitting the ball hard so the batter reaches first base

drive line
  • Specialized
7.1

Parts that send power from the engine to the wheels that move the car

drive line system
  • Specialized
6.0

A vehicle system that sends engine power to the driving wheels

drive-by event
  • Neologism
4.6

A gathering where people stay in their cars and take part briefly

drive-by media
  • Literature
9.1

News outlets that give quick, shallow reports and often miss important facts

automatic drive
  • Specialized
3.2

A car system that changes gears by itself based on speed

automatic drive
  • Specialized
4.1

A mode in which a car moves, steers, and brakes using sensors and software

A hard straight shot hit with the racket across the body in tennis

fluid drive
  • Archaic
7.8

A device that uses fluid to connect an engine to the drive shaft smoothly

A hard straight shot hit from the side you hold the racket, used in tennis or badminton

5.3

A hard low hit in baseball that lets the batter reach third base

fusee drive
  • Archaic
9.9

A cone-shaped part in old clocks that keeps spring power steady as it unwinds

4.6

A car you rent and drive yourself

8.9

A car you rent and drive yourself for a short time

whist drive
  • Archaic
9.8

A social event where people play whist in rounds, often to raise money

7.5

A hard disk with a sealed case used in older computers to store data

How Big

san
  • Specialized
18 9.1
drive
  • Specialized
272 3.3
volume
  • Specialized
9 4.9
partition
  • Specialized
12 4.8
disk cache
  • Specialized
4.1

Surface Forms

drive singular
drives plural

Etymology

Drive comes from Old English drīfan 'to push' or 'make move', and the computer use comes from machines that 'drive' disks or parts to turn, so a 'drive' is the device that makes or holds moving data.