pillbox

noun

pill·​box ˈpil-ˌbäks How to pronounce pillbox (audio)
1
: a box for pills
especially : a shallow round box of pasteboard
2
: a small low concrete emplacement for machine guns and antitank weapons
3
: a small round hat without a brim
specifically : a woman's shallow hat with a flat crown and straight sides

Examples of pillbox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pillbox and sculpted brim styles — especially as seen at Dior — bring such a sense of presence and poise to any ensemble. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025 Hats felt especially expressive, from the pillbox shapes that carried a whiff of mod elegance to the newsboy caps that revived a polarizing Y2K style. Minty Mellon, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025 The chili was oversalted and oddly smooth, with a slab of nonmelting cheese sitting on top of it like a pillbox hat. Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025 This four-compartment pillbox fits eight standard-sized pills and has a timer attached. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pillbox

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pillbox was in 1702

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Cite this Entry

“Pillbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pillbox. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

pillbox

noun
pill·​box ˈpil-ˌbäks How to pronounce pillbox (audio)
1
: a small usually shallow box for pills
2
: a small low fortification for machine guns and antitank weapons
3
: a small round hat without a brim

More from Merriam-Webster on pillbox

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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