box¹ Definition
box (bäks)
noun
- any of various kinds of containers, usually rectangular and lidded, made of cardboard, wood, or other stiff material; case; carton
- the contents or capacity of a box
- Chiefly Brit. a gift, esp. a Christmas present, in a box
Etymology: < the toolbox under the seat
the driver's seat on a coach- a boxlike thing, opening, or compartment
- a small, enclosed group of seats, as in a theater, stadium, etc.
- a small booth or shelter for persons on outdoor duty a sentry box
- a small country house used by sportsmen a grouse box
- box stall
- a space or section for a certain person or group a press box, jury box
- a short newspaper article or advertisement enclosed in borders
- any of the enclosed sets of lines and spaces on a printed form
- ☆ Chiefly Brit., Informal television or a television set: used with the
- Slang the vulva or vagina: somewhat vulgar
- ☆ Baseball any of certain designated areas outlined on the playing field for the batter, catcher, and first-base and third-base coaches
- Mech. a protective casing for a part a journal box
Etymology: ME & OE, a container, box < VL buxis < L buxus, boxwood < Gr pyxos
transitive verb
- to provide with a box
- to put into a box, etc., as for storage or shipment
- to boxhaul
adjective
- shaped or made like a box
- packaged in a box
box¹ Related Forms
box¹ Idioms
box in
- box up (sense )
- to block and thus prevent (another racer) from getting ahead
box out
Basketball to block (an opponent) so as to prevent that player from getting a rebound
box the compass
- to name the thirty-two points of the compass in order: compasses were kept in boxes
- to make a complete circuit, returning to the starting point
box up
- to keep in; surround or confine
- ☆ to encase with sheathing boards, or laths
in a box
Informal in difficulty or a dilemma
outside (of) the box
Informal in a fresh, inventive, unconventional way
box² Definition
box (bäks)
noun
a blow struck with the hand or fist, esp. on the ear or the side of the head
Etymology: ME < ?
transitive verb
- to strike with such a blow
- to engage in a boxing match with
intransitive verb
to fight with the fists; engage in boxing
box³ Definition
box (bäks)
noun
- any of a genus (Buxus) of evergreen shrubs or small trees of the box family with small, leathery leaves: some species are used as hedge plants or shaped as garden ornaments
- boxwood (sense )
Etymology: ME & OE < L buxus < Gr pyxos
adjective
designating a family (Buxaceae, order Euphorbiales) of dicotyledonous evergreen shrubs and trees, including pachysandra
box Synonyms
box
n.
in a box*
box Synonyms
box
v.
box Usage Examples
Converse of object
- tick: The last thing they want is to tick a box.
- bound: Since this is not a geometric operation, the bounding box does not change.
- check: Check the box next to ' Use Windows colors ' , allowing you access to change the colors yourself.
- nest: Guy Merchant, a pigeon expert, has been placing new nesting boxes in the town.
Preposition: at
bottom: Note the 2 tick boxes at the bottom of the panel, under the heading " Delivery " .
Adjective modifier
- set-top: Will the Amiga be turned into a set-top box?
- wooden: There are many different types of boxes including beautiful sterling silver boxes, a traditional carved wooden box or pretty cardboard boxes.
- black: The second black box was recovered the next day despite being buried in sediment without any traces being visible on the seabed.
- red: The bottom row above the red boxes contains a key for every file in the directory: these are the leaf nodes.
- pop-up: A pop-up selection box is displayed showing all possible matching names.
- rectangular: Noticed some one carrying a small rectangular box, strapped in his shoulder.
Modifies a noun
- office: Box office: the place where you buy tickets for the theater or cinema.
- pew: The interior had oak box pews, the best of which were subsequently reused at Llanerch Panna Hall.
Noun used with modifier
- dialog: In the Options dialog box, click the File Type tab.
- dialog: You'll then see a dialog box that allows you to select the items you want in Details view.
- cardboard: The cardboard boxes can be recycled or added to your compost heap.
- ballot: In the end the BNP is only going to be defeated at the ballot box, not by banning them.
- tick: Note the 2 tick boxes at the bottom of the panel, under the heading " Delivery " .
- search: You can also use the search box provided, by simply typing in the product you are looking for.
Preposition: of
chocolate: The prize for the evening was a box of chocolates, which Mary promptly handed out to everyone.
Browse dictionary entries near box
- ‹ bowyer
- ‹ bowwow
- ‹ bowstring hemp
- ‹ bowstring
- ‹ bowsprit
- ‹ bowshot
- ‹ bowman
- ‹ bowls
- ‹ bowling green
- ‹ bowling alley
- box calf ›
- box camera ›
- box coat ›
- box elder ›
- box in or up ›
- box kite ›
- box lunch ›
- box office ›
- box pleat ›
- box score ›

