box

noun \ ˈbäks \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of box

plural box or boxes

: 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

Origin and Etymology of box

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

box

noun

Definition of box

plural boxes

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 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

—

boxful

play \-fu̇l\ noun, plural boxfuls

—

boxlike

play \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of box

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

box

verb

Definition of box

boxed; boxing; boxes

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

First Known Use of box

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

box

noun

Definition of box

: a punch or slap especially on the ear

Origin and Etymology of box

Middle English

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

box

verb

Definition of box

boxed; boxing; boxes

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

First Known Use of box

1519

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

box

verb

Definition of box

boxed; boxing; boxes

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

Origin and Etymology of box

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1713

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

BOX Defined for Kids

box

noun \ ˈbäks \

Definition of box for Students

: an evergreen shrub or small tree used for hedges

box

noun

Definition of box for Students

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

Definition of box for Students

boxed; boxing

: to enclose in or as if in a box

box

verb

Definition of box for Students

boxed; boxing

: to fight with the fists

Learn More about box

See words that rhyme with box Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for box Spanish Central: Translation of box Nglish: Translation of box for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of box for Arabic speakers

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box

Definition of box

Origin and Etymology of box

Other Seed Plant Terms

box

Definition of box

boxful

boxlike

Origin and Etymology of box

Other Audio Recording Terms

box

Definition of box

First Known Use of box

box

Definition of box

Origin and Etymology of box

box

Definition of box

First Known Use of box

box

Definition of box

Origin and Etymology of box

BOX Defined for Kids

box

Definition of box for Students

box

Definition of box for Students

box

Definition of box for Students

box

Definition of box for Students

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