bandbox

noun band·box \ ˈban(d)-ˌbäks \

Definition of bandbox

1 :a usually cylindrical box of cardboard or thin wood for holding light articles of attire

2 :a structure (such as a baseball park) having relatively small interior dimensions

bandbox was our Word of the Day on 07/16/2010. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of bandbox from the Web

But despite playing in the desert bandbox that is Chase Field, Arizona’s offense has lagged behind.

— jon tayler, SI.com, "J.D. Martinez trade boosts Diamondbacks' playoff contenion, sparks Tigers' remodeling," 18 July 2017
This ballpark will never be mistaken for a bandbox, but homers have been more prevalent in Little Havana this season than ever before.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Urena holds Cubs at bay, Stanton hits 19th homer in shutout win," 23 June 2017
The Padres were minor league, playing in a wonderful bandbox at the foot of Broadway called Lane Field.

— nick canepa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "First months of 2017 have been among darkest in San Diego sports," 14 May 2017
Castro also knew that the wind blowing in would transform Wrigley Field, the brick-and-ivy bandbox, into a pitchers’ paradise and turn just about any fly ball into a carnival ride for fielders.

— billy witz, New York Times, "Yankees Defeat Cubs on Ninth-Inning Home Run by Brett Gardner," 5 May 2017
The field dimensions will not allow for the bandbox some people thought would favor home runs — the foul lines will be at least 320 feet.

— charley walters, Twin Cities, "Charley Walters: Looks like Twins will take pitcher Hunter Greene No. 1 in draft," 18 Feb. 2017
Their phenomenal power display of April has carried into May, turning Citi Field — once a tormenting wasteland of warning-track flyouts — into a bandbox.

— zach schonbrun, New York Times, "Defying Conditions, Mets Slug Their Way to a Victory Over the Braves," 4 May 2016

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.

Did You Know?

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."