box

noun (1)

\ ˈbäks

How to pronounce box (audio)

\

plural box or boxes

Definition of box

(Entry 1 of 6)

: an evergreen shrub or small tree (genus Buxus of the family Buxaceae, the box family) with opposite entire leaves and capsular fruits especially : a widely cultivated shrub (B. sempervirens) used for hedges, borders, and topiary figures

box

noun (2)

plural boxes

Definition of box (Entry 2 of 6)

1 : a rigid typically rectangular container with or without a cover a cigar box : such as

a : an open cargo container of a vehicle

b : coffin

2 : the contents of a box especially as a measure of quantity

3 : a box or boxlike container and its contents: such as

a British : a gift in a box

b : an automobile transmission

c : television

d : a signaling apparatus alarm box

e : a usually self-contained piece of electronic equipment

f : boom box

4 : an often small space, compartment, or enclosure: such as

a : an enclosed group of seats for spectators (as in a theater or stadium)

b : a driver's seat on a carriage or coach

c : a cell for holding mail

d British : box stall

e : penalty box

5 : a usually rectangular space that is frequently outlined or demarcated on a surface: such as

a : any of six spaces on a baseball diamond where the batter, coaches, pitcher, and catcher stand

b : a space on a page for printed matter or in which to make a mark

c : the intersection of two roads especially when treated as an area where vehicles are prohibited from stopping because doing so would interfere with traffic flow Don't block the box.

6 : predicament, fix

7 : a cubical building

8 : the limitations of conventionality trying to think outside the box

9 British : cup sense 5b I like to use a pair of trousers which have a lot more room in them so that they give me far more freedom of movement. They also make it easier to put in a thigh pad and box.— Glenn Turner

box

verb (1)

boxed; boxing; boxes

Definition of box (Entry 3 of 6)

transitive verb

1 : to enclose in or as if in a box

2 : to hem in (someone, such as an opponent) —usually used with in, out, or up boxed out the tackle

box

noun (3)

Definition of box (Entry 4 of 6)

: a punch or slap especially on the ear

box

verb (2)

boxed; boxing; boxes

Definition of box (Entry 5 of 6)

transitive verb

1 : to hit (something, especially someone's ears) with the hand

2 : to engage in boxing with

intransitive verb

: to fight with the fists : engage in boxing

box

verb (3)

boxed; boxing; boxes

Definition of box (Entry 6 of 6)

transitive verb

: to name the 32 points of (the compass) in their order —used figuratively in the phrase box the compass to describe making a complete reversal

Other Words from box

Noun (2)

boxful \ ˈbäks-fu̇l

\ noun, plural boxfuls

boxlike \ ˈbäks-ˌlīk

\ adjective

First Known Use of box

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1519, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (3)

1713, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for box

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin buxus, from Greek pyxos

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin buxis, from Greek pyxis, from pyxos box tree

Noun (3)

Middle English

Verb (3)

probably from Spanish bojar to circumnavigate, from Catalan vogir to turn, from Latin volvere to roll — more at voluble

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Time Traveler for box

The first known use of box was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for box

box

noun

\ ˈbäks

\

Kids Definition of box

(Entry 1 of 4)

: an evergreen shrub or small tree used for hedges

box

noun

Kids Definition of box (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : a container usually having four sides, a bottom, and a cover

2 : the contents of a box Don't eat the whole box of candy!

3 : a four-sided shape on a piece of paper or computer screen Put an X in the box.

4 : an enclosed place for one or more persons a penalty box

box

verb

boxed; boxing

Kids Definition of box (Entry 3 of 4)

: to enclose in or as if in a box

box

verb

boxed; boxing

Kids Definition of box (Entry 4 of 4)

: to fight with the fists

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