pillbox

noun

pill·​box ˈpil-ˌbäks 

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

Style with Chloé’s technical jacket (a functional piece that doesn’t sacrifice polish) and top off with a pillbox hat. —Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 13 Jan. 2026

And while the accessory can certainly be worn year-round, a wool or faux-fur pillbox hat is also a chic way to top off any layered winter look. —Morgan Evans, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025

Kay’s refined style – made up of ivory wool coats, pillbox hats and delicate face veils – is Marty’s aspirational opposite. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 27 Dec. 2025

Use a pillbox to set up each dose. —Ashley Wong, Health, 27 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pillbox

• botox
• checkbox
• comox
• cornstalks
• cowpox
• crosswalks
• deadlocks
• detox
• feedstocks
• firebox
• gearbox
• hemlocks

Kids Definition

pillbox

noun

pill·​box ˈpil-ˌbäks 

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