Definition of BANDBOX

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Noun

In the 17th century, the word band was sometimes used for ruffs, the large round collars of pleated muslin or linen worn by men and women of the time period, and the bandbox was invented for holding such bands. The flimsy cardboard structure of the box inspired people to start using its name for any flimsy object, especially a small and insubstantial one. But people also contemplated the neat, sharp appearance of ruffs just taken from a bandbox and began using the word in a complimentary way in phrases such as "she looked as if she came out of a bandbox." Today, "bandbox" can also be used as an adjective meaning "exquisitely neat, clean, or ordered," as in "bandbox military officers."

Examples of bandbox in a Sentence

Adjective

a small bandbox bed-and-breakfast decorated with taste and charm

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Instead, the committee shoehorned senators, witnesses, the press and 20 members of the public into a bandbox room in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. — Chad Pergram, Fox News, "Dramatic testimony from Kavanaugh, Ford included outrage, emotion, history," 27 Sep. 2018 The stunning new reality: Petco Park of recent years is nearly a home-run bandbox by the standards of Petco National Park circa 2004-12. — Tom Krasovic, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres' home now means home runs are less rare, and that's a tradeoff," 8 June 2018 But the bandbox in the northeastern Mission was only a temporary home to the Giants. — Gary Kamiya, San Francisco Chronicle, "In the depths of the Depression, SF had the best ballpark in the country," 12 May 2018 And the Red Devils are unbeaten in their last 10 Liga MX games in their bandbox stadium. — Mark Zeigler, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Cinderella Xolos head to second semifinal leg at Toluca with lead," 12 May 2018 Regardless of the outcome Friday night, particularly with what is still a less-the-full strength Musketeers team on the road in a bandbox UNI gym, this non-conference season has been a success in every conceivable way. — Patrick Brennan, Cincinnati.com, "Non-con notebook: Results indicate Xavier ready for Big East play," 22 Dec. 2017 That’s entirely possible if the pitching holds up, even in the bandbox ballparks that litter that National League, and the Giants feel good about their rotation and (with good health) bullpen. — Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, "The Giants’ strategy: It’s the only way," 22 Dec. 2017 The Red Sox finished last in home runs in the American League—while playing their home games in a bandbox with almost no foul territory. — Tom Verducci, SI.com, "Winter Meetings Notebook: This Is Why the Red Sox Need to Trade for Jose Abreu," 12 Dec. 2017 Taking two of three in the Astros' boisterous bandbox would be a significant service break: Houston entered Game 4 7-0 at home this postseason, but has lost five of seven on the road. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "Dodgers finally get their dream World Series scenario: Clayton Kershaw, moving in for the kill," 29 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bandbox.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.