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

Accessories, leather gloves to cloches and leopard print pillbox hats, are scattered throughout, alongside a preview of the brand’s footwear, set to debut next spring. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026

The uniforms were originally sky blue and designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and were accompanied by pillbox-esque hats. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 30 Aug. 2026

The top matched with her miniskirt, knee-high platform boots, and pillbox hat. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026

Her hair, styled in loose waves beneath a brown pillbox hat, appeared several shades lighter than the rich brunette hue she has long been known for. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

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
• gearbox
• hemlocks
• icebox

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