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 sequel to 1984’s Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton cyborg action pic, Terminator, is the highest grossing installment in the franchise with over $517M minted at the global box office. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 July 2026

Takashi Yamazaki has already rampaged his way through the Japanese film industry, with his 2023 feature Godzilla Minus One becoming a box office hit and earning him an Oscar. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026

But the summer box office has also lit up with movies including Toy Story 5, earning the biggest opening in that franchise's 31-year history, and Ryan Gosling took audiences on a journey of wonder and hope with Project Hail Mary. — Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026

Obsession, the blockbuster horror thriller starring Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston, hit another major box office milestone over the weekend. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 5 July 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