shadowbox

1 of 2

verb

shad·​ow·​box ˈsha-dō-ˌbäks 

-də-ˌbäks

shadowboxed; shadowboxing; shadowboxes

intransitive verb

: to box with an imaginary opponent especially as a form of training

… in his dressing room, [Mike] Tyson shadowboxes; his heavily muscled body glistens with sweat.

—Pat Putnam

… my daily regimen—stretching, shadowboxing, four rounds on the heavy bag …

—Tim Struby

shadowboxer noun

plural shadowboxers

… punching the air like a shadowboxer.

—Chris Dafoe

shadow box

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noun

: a shallow enclosing case usually with a glass front in which something is set for protection and display

Examples of shadowbox in a Sentence

Verb

He was shadowboxing to stay in shape.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Defensive tackle Cam Heyward's first 15 camps were defined in part by what Tomlin likened to full-on sparring as opposed to shadowboxing. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

Instead of Gladiators fighting for our entertainment, the emperors are shadowboxing before an angry populace. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026

Noun

The Ed Sullivan Theater, which first opened in 1927, is a 13-story shadow box preserving bits from a rich history of pop culture pinnacles past. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Fans can also purchase commemorative rings infused with the blue turf, as well as the original 1986 blue turf collectible shadow box, signed by former athletic director Gene Bleymaier. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1919, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shadowbox

• aftershocks
• chatterbox
• chickenpox
• equinox
• firebox
• goldilocks
• hollyhocks
• interlocks
• orthodox
• paradox
• tomahawks
• balks

Kids Definition

shadowbox

verb

shad·​ow·​box ˈshad-ō-ˌbäks 

: to box with an imaginary opponent as a form of training