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

The movie’s success is a win for DC Studios, which has not had a box office hit in years. —Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

Attendance was slightly softer than expected at the international box office, though box office watchers believe that’s partially due to Superman’s deeply patriotic roots. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 13 July 2025

However, fans of Snyder's film have pointed out that the opening box office numbers require some context when inflation is factored in. —Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025

In today’s fracturing media environment — shaken by streaming, the collapse of the cable bundle, and post-Covid box office woes — a new medium could be a crucial selling point, especially for entertainment boards looking for a new revenue vein. —Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 12 July 2025

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