box office

noun

1

a

: an office (as in a theater) where tickets of admission are sold

b

: income from ticket sales (as for a film)

2

: the ability (as of a show) to attract ticket buyers

also : something that enhances that ability

any publicity is good box office

Examples of box office in a Sentence

The box office will open at 10:00 a.m.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ogar suggests these numbers would be even higher if there were more local theaters, especially during the December peak season, when up to 20% of the yearly box office revenue can be earned. —Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026

Over the course of eleven films to date, the franchise has earned more than $7 billion at the worldwide box office. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 May 2026

The director of cannibal romance horror comedy Fresh has set her next project in the cutthroat world of professional cycling, bringing perennial A-lister Portman and box office breakout Bailey along for the ride. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026

Right now, spirits are high because the overall box office is trending 16% ahead of last year, according to Comscore. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 10 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for box office

• interoffice

Kids Definition

box office

noun

: an office in a public place (as a theater or stadium) where admission tickets are sold