black box

1 of 2

noun

1

: a usually complicated electronic device whose internal mechanism is usually hidden from or mysterious to the user

broadly : anything that has mysterious or unknown internal functions or mechanisms

2

: a crashworthy device in aircraft for recording cockpit conversations and flight data

3

: a device in an automobile that records information (such as speed, temperature, or gasoline efficiency) which can be used to monitor vehicle performance or determine a cause in the event of an accident

black box

2 of 2

adjective

: being or containing a warning of a serious or life-threatening side effect (such as stroke or muscle damage) that is highlighted by a black border on a prescription drug's label or accompanying literature

Examples of black box in a Sentence

Noun

The black boxes were recovered from the crash site and provided useful information about the cause of the crash.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For one thing, space weather is still something of a black box for researchers. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 15 May 2024

After obtaining a search warrant for the Murano’s black box, the police determined Sentiesteban was driving at 83 mph two seconds before the crash. —Omar Rodríguez Ortiz, Miami Herald, 15 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1968, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

black box

adjective

: being or containing a warning of a serious or life-threatening side effect (as stroke, muscle damage, or suicidal tendencies) that is highlighted by a black border on a prescription drug's label or accompanying literature

A "black box" warning is the most serious warning placed in the labeling of a prescription medication.

—Johnathan D. Rockoff, The Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram