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

Hanung Bramantyo, one of Indonesia’s leading box office directors, helms the project. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

The Midnight Madness People’s Choice winner was Ladies And Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney (incidentally box office phenomenon Obsession was first runner up last year). — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2026

Sheeran's Loop Tour was the highest-grossing in the world, with an average box office gross of over $7 million per city, Pollstar said in May. — CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Sheeran’s Loop Tour was the highest-grossing in the world, with an average box office gross of over $7 million per city, Pollstar said in May. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 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