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

July 4 is a big date for the film industry, and not only because everyone will be watching the momentum at the North American box office. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025

The film was a box office winner and a critical success, too, becoming an instant summertime classic. —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 1 July 2025

Advantages: This allows Apple to avoid box office scrutiny. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 June 2025

The movie, which has received critical accolades, is Apple’s first box office hit, though this isn’t a huge W considering that Apple spent $375 million to make and market the movie. —Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 30 June 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