music box

noun

: a container enclosing an apparatus that reproduces music mechanically when activated by a clockwork

Examples of music box in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The streamlined movement also incorporates a one-minute flying tourbillon and dual power reserve indicators—one of which tracks the energy available for the music box. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026

Above this playful mess of a beat, which includes a music box-like instrument that sounds partially broken, Shabaka rips out brief and noisy phrases on tenor sax. —Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026

In front of him, idolatrous Republican lawmakers popped up and down to applaud like clowns in wind-up music boxes of old. —Jackie Calmes, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026

Early locations had a giant clown head popping out of a square box on the roof, based on children’s jack-in-the-box toys, music boxes with cranks that, when turned, cause figures to pop out of their lids. —Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for music box

• aftershocks
• chatterbox
• equinox
• goldilocks
• hollyhocks
• interlocks
• orthodox
• paradox
• tomahawks
• balks
• blocks
• blocs

Kids Definition

music box

noun

: a box containing a mechanical device that uses gears like those of a clock to play a tune