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box

box

1.0
A usually rectangular container with a lid for holding things or the amount it holds
  • noun
  • /bɑks/
translation icon : caja
  • His safe-deposit box hasn't been opened yet.
  • cardboard box
  • P.O. Box
  • lunch box

And he gave me a shoe box filled with money.

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Examples

  • OK, so inside of the box, we have our cable.

  • Man, there was a box full of foam.

  • Next up, we're going to find a lunch box for food.

  • We are opening the box for the first time.

  • It's a very pretty box, it seemed such a waste.

  • On the table in front of Ross is a box of Oreo cookies.

    Academic text (2008)
  • So first up, we have this giant box from Tarte Cosmetics.

  • But I have a box of stuffed mushrooms for you when you're feeling better.

  • Children scurried to the instrument box to choose instruments that they could play in Peter's band.

    Academic text (1999)
  • She opened the box to find a surprise birthday gift inside.

Synonyms

case
vsbox
1.0

A box or container for holding and carrying things like bottles

is used mainly for basic storage rather than protection or display
container
vsbox
245 1.3

A thing that holds or stores items, for example a box

is usually smaller, rectangular and often has a lid for storage
crate
vsbox
189 1.7

A strong wooden box for storing or moving things and the amount inside it

is generally smaller and more everyday, not meant for heavy shipping
carton
vsbox
58 1.0

A box made of cardboard with a top that opens for storing things

is the broader rectangular storage item, not only a folded package
37 1.0

A box made of cardboard used for packing or storing things

is any rectangular storage item, not limited to a specific material
toolbox
vsbox
28 1.1

A box used to store and carry hand tools like hammers

is for general holding rather than being organized specifically for tools
shoebox
vsbox
15 1.0

A rectangular cardboard container for holding shoes

is used for many storage purposes, not only shoe storage
cereal box
vsbox
11 1.0

A cardboard box that holds breakfast cereal

is the everyday storage object, not specifically made for selling food
matchbox
vsbox
11 1.0

A small box that holds matches

is the general storage object, usually larger and for varied items
receptacle
vsbox
10 5.3

A container for holding things like bottles or paper

is the common rectangular storage object often with a lid
cigar box
vsbox
8 2.1

A small box for keeping cigars or other small items

is the plain storage item used for many goods, not only tobacco
toy box
vsbox
4 1.0

A box for keeping children's toys

is a general storage object, not specifically for children's playthings
hatbox
vsbox
3 6.1

A round hard box used to store or carry hats

is usually rectangular and often has a lid, not round or hat-shaped
boxful
vsbox
1 1.9

An amount that fills a box

is the physical rectangular item used for holding things, not the amount
cashbox
vsbox
1 3.2

A strong box for keeping money in shops or at events

is usually simple storage for items, not necessarily built for security
pencil box
vsbox
  • US
1 1.0

A small box for holding pencils, erasers, and a ruler

is a general rectangular storage object used for many different contents
pillbox
vsbox
1 3.7

A small container with separate sections for storing pills

is a general storage object, not divided into small medication compartments
packing case
vsbox
1 2.3

A large strong box used to hold goods for storage or shipping

is for regular household or commercial storage, not heavy duty shipping
packing box
vsbox
1 1.0

A large strong container used to hold things for moving or storage

is for common storage or carrying, not exclusively shipping tasks
workbox
vsbox
1 5.9

A box that holds tools and materials for sewing

is the general storage item, not mainly designed for work tasks
paintbox
vsbox
1 2.7

A box that holds paints and brushes for artists or children

is ordinary storage for many items, not arranged for painting use
woodbox
vsbox
1 3.2

A wooden box for storing or carrying things like firewood

is more general storage, not restricted to wooden construction or use
containerful
vsbox
3.7

The amount that fills a container

is the physical unit itself rather than the amount it holds
play-box
vsbox
  • Archaic
8.4

A box a child uses to keep toys and personal things

is the general holding object, not limited to young students' belongings
country box
vsbox
4.5

A box of local food often given as a gift or taken to a picnic

is the general storage item, not a themed or gift food assortment
seedbox
vsbox
4.0

A small box used to plant and grow young seeds

is the general rectangular storage object, not used specifically for seeds

Idioms

outside the box
  • Informal
37 4.5

In a creative way that does not follow normal rules

Ready to use without extra setup after you buy it

7 5.3

Thinking in a new, creative way not limited by usual methods

4 7.7

To create many unexpected problems that are hard to control

In a usual, not creative way that avoids new ideas

A person who is not very quick to understand things

to box one's ears
  • Offensive
9.9

To hit someone on the side of the head to punish or scold them

9.9

To say all the compass points in order and name every direction

To sell a lot of movie tickets

Spending a long time watching television and not doing much else

off one's box
  • Archaic
9.9

Feeling confused and out of control after drinking or when very upset

8.8

A person who is not very quick to understand

Think in a new way instead of your usual way

Compounds

70 2.8

A secure metal box in a bank where people keep valuables

60 2.5

Money that comes from selling tickets for a film or show

37 1.0

A box made of cardboard used for packing or storing things

31 2.5

A sealed container where voters put their voting papers during an election

A strong metal box in a bank that holds valuable things

black box
  • Specialized
26 4.9

A device on an airplane that records flight information and pilot voices

24 3.4

A secure metal box in a bank for keeping valuable things

23 3.1

A small box that plays a tune when you wind it

22 1.8

A place at a theatre or cinema where people buy tickets

Pandora's box
  • Literature
21 8.2

A situation that causes many unexpected and serious problems

boom box
  • Archaic
19 3.1

A portable music system with speakers that plays music loudly

18 1.8

A box with soft material that cats use to pee and poo indoors

11 1.0

A cardboard box that holds breakfast cereal

9 3.7

A part in the throat that makes sounds when you speak

press box
  • Literature
9 3.1

An area in a stadium or arena where reporters and broadcasters sit to report the game

8 3.2

A raised area in a courtroom where the people who decide the case sit during a trial

8 2.1

A small box for keeping cigars or other small items

7 5.8

A simple coffin made from pine wood

black box
  • Specialized
7 3.9

A system whose inner parts are hidden so you only see what goes in and what comes out

7 3.4

A numbered box at a post office where you receive and collect your mail

7 4.4

Private place in a raised box with a good view of the stage or field

A numbered box at a post office where you collect your mail

6 3.3

A small area in ice hockey where a player sits to serve time after a penalty

dialog box
  • Specialized
5 3.2

A small window that asks you to confirm or cancel an action

5 3.2

A strong cloth frame with springs that supports a mattress

4 4.3

A marked area beside home plate where the player stands to hit

idiot box
  • Informal
4 7.2

A television people jokingly call a waste of time

4 4.2

An enclosed area in a courtroom where a person sits to tell the judge or jury what they saw

4 1.0

A box for keeping children's toys

4 2.9

A long narrow container for growing plants on a windowsill

text box
  • Specialized
3 3.2

An area on a screen or in a document where you can type and show words

2 5.5

A place in a church where people put money to help needy people

2 5.2

A North American land turtle with a high shell that can close tightly to protect itself

cat box
  • US
2 1.0

A box filled with litter that a cat uses as a toilet indoors

shit box
  • Offensive
2 9.9

A very old, broken car or run-down place

1 2.0

A small container with a slot on top for keeping coins or paper money

telephone box
  • Archaic
1 3.0

A small box on a street that holds a public phone

1 4.6

A kite with a box shape open at both ends

1 3.0

A number for a mailbox at a post office where someone receives mail

A toy box with a clown or figure that pops out when opened

A way to find new, creative ideas to solve problems

To solve problems using new creative ideas

1 1.0

A small box for holding pencils, erasers, and a ruler

1 6.4

The front part of a shoe that covers and protects the toes

1 5.9

A shallow box with a clear front that shows and protects small items like jewelry

shine box
  • Archaic
1 7.1

A box that holds brushes, cloths, and polish for shoes

1 3.5

A tool with a closed circular end that fits over a nut or bolt to turn it

box camera
  • Archaic
1 4.2

A simple camera in the shape of a box with a fixed focus lens and few controls

box seat
  • Archaic
1 8.9

Place where a driver sits on a horse-drawn carriage

Christmas box
  • Archaic
1 2.4

A gift you give at Christmas to people who do a job for you, like a milkman or postman

1 3.0

A box that holds coins collected from a machine like a slot machine

dispatch box
  • Formal
1 8.8

A locked box used to carry and keep important government papers like speeches

1 1.0

A box or slot at a house where mail is delivered

miter box
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A tool that guides a saw to make cuts at exact angles in wood for picture frames

1 1.0

A large strong container used to hold things for moving or storage

1 2.3

A small container with holes in the top for sprinkling ground pepper on food

A number used to receive mail at a post office box

1 5.0

A small shelter with an open front where a guard stands

1 6.7

A small building where people control railway signals and switches to direct trains

1 6.3

A loudspeaker used to talk to people in a building

1 6.3

A box-shaped instrument with bellows that you press to make music, like an accordion

9.3

A small tree with dark green lobed leaves and wood that resists rot, often used for fence posts

box beam
  • Specialized
6.7

A long hollow structure made from boards with a rectangular shape that supports parts of a building

box calf
  • Specialized
8.7

Smooth shiny leather made from the skin of a young cow and used for high quality shoes and bags

4.6

A short loose-fitting coat that hangs straight from the shoulders

6.1

A North American fast-growing maple tree with leaves made of several parts, often used for shade

box end wrench
  • Specialized
5.9

A wrench with a closed ring end that fits over a nut or bolt

box family
  • Specialized
9.3

A group of evergreen shrubs and small trees with glossy leaves, including boxwood, found worldwide

box girder
  • Specialized
7.0

A beam with a hollow box shape used in bridges and large structures

A low spreading evergreen shrub with small shiny leaves and nearly tasteless berries

box Kodak
  • Archaic
9.1

A simple box-shaped camera made by Kodak around 1900

box of tricks
  • Informal
5.5

A set of clever methods a person uses to solve problems

box pleat
  • Specialized
6.4

Two folds in cloth turned under to form a flat box shape

How Big

crate
189 1.7
chest
363 1.0
box
1.0
matchbox
11 1.0

Surface Forms

box singular
boxes plural

Etymology

Box for a container comes from the name of the boxwood tree, Latin buxus, because people used that hard wood to make small wooden boxes, and so the tree name became the word for a 'container'.