name · noun · verb · 71 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/bɒks/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:bäks
General-American:/bɑks/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australia:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɒks
CMU ARPABET:B AA1 K S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
name
Meaning 1
A surname.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
name
Meaning 2
A village in Minchinhampton parish, south of Stroud, Gloucestershire, England (OS grid ref SO8600).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
name
Meaning 3
A village and civil parish near Corsham, Wiltshire, England (OS grid ref ST8268).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A cuboid space; a cuboid container, often with a hinged lid.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: case, package
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A cuboid container and its contents; as much as fills such a container.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a box of books
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: boxful
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A compartment (as a drawer) of an item of furniture used for storage, such as a cupboard, a shelf, etc.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A compartment or receptacle for receiving items.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
post box post office box
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A compartment or receptacle for receiving items.
A numbered receptacle at a newspaper office for anonymous replies to advertisements; see also box number.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A compartment to sit inside in an auditorium, courtroom, theatre, or other building.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: loge
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
The driver’s seat on a horse-drawn coach.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: box seat
Antonyms: none provided
11
noun
Meaning 11
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A small rectangular shelter.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
sentry-box
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: shelter, booth
Antonyms: none provided
12
noun
Meaning 12
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
Ellipsis of horsebox (“container for transporting horses”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
noun
Meaning 13
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
Ellipsis of gearbox.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
noun
Meaning 14
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
Ellipsis of stashbox.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: stizzy
Antonyms: none provided
15
noun
Meaning 15
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
Ellipsis of signal box.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
Topics: rail-transport, railways, transport
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
16
noun
Meaning 16
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A predicament or trap.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Examples
I’m really in a box now.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
17
noun
Meaning 17
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A prison cell.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: slang
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
18
noun
Meaning 18
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A prison cell.
A cell used for solitary confinement.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: slang
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hole
Antonyms: none provided
19
noun
Meaning 19
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A coffin.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: euphemistic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
20
noun
Meaning 20
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
The television.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: slang
Qualifier: preceded by the
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: telly, tube, TV
Antonyms: none provided
21
noun
Meaning 21
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
The vagina.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: slang, vulgar
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
27
noun
Meaning 27
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A device used in electric fencing to detect whether a weapon has struck an opponent, which connects to a fencer's weapon by a spool and body wire. It uses lights and sound to notify a hit, with different coloured lights for on target and off target hits.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: fencing, government, hobbies, lifestyle, martial-arts, military, politics, sports, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
28
noun
Meaning 28
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A small country house.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
29
noun
Meaning 29
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
A stringed instrument with a soundbox, especially a guitar.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Southern-US, colloquial
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
30
noun
Meaning 30
Senses relating to a three-dimensional object or space.
Short for squeeze box (“accordion or concertina”)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
39
noun
Meaning 39
A rectangular object in any number of dimensions.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly
Topics: geometry, mathematics, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hyperrectangle, orthotope
Antonyms: none provided
40
noun
Meaning 40
Any of various evergreen shrubs or trees of genus Buxus, especially common box, European box, or boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) which is often used for making hedges and topiary.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
41
noun
Meaning 41
The wood from a box tree: boxwood.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
42
noun
Meaning 42
A musical instrument, especially one made from boxwood.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: slang
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
43
noun
Meaning 43
An evergreen tree of the genus Lophostemon (for example, box scrub, Brisbane box, brush box, pink box, or Queensland box, Lophostemon confertus).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Australia
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
44
noun
Meaning 44
Various species of Eucalyptus trees are popularly called various kinds of boxes, on the basis of the nature of their wood, bark, or appearance for example, drooping box (Eucalyptus bicolor), shiny-leaved box (Eucalyptus tereticornis), black box, or ironbark box trees.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Australia
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
45
noun
Meaning 45
A blow with the fist.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
46
noun
Meaning 46
A Mediterranean food fish of the genus Boops, which is a variety of sea bream; a bogue or oxeye.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
47
verb
Meaning 47
To place inside a box; to pack in one or more boxes.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
48
verb
Meaning 48
Usually followed by in: to surround and enclose in a way that restricts movement; to corner, to hem in.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
49
verb
Meaning 49
To mix two containers of paint of similar colour to ensure that the color is identical.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
50
verb
Meaning 50
To make an incision or hole in (a tree) for the purpose of procuring the sap.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Topics: agriculture, business, lifestyle
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
51
verb
Meaning 51
To enclose with boarding, lathing, etc., so as to conceal (for example, pipes) or to bring to a required form.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Topics: architecture
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
52
verb
Meaning 52
To furnish (for example, the axle of a wheel) with a box.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
separate partitioned area in a public place for a few people
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the sentry stayed in his box to avoid the cold
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: compartment
Narrower terms: jury box, press box, witness box, witness stand
62
noun
Meaning 62
private area in a theater or grandstand where a small group can watch the performance
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the royal box was empty
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: loge
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: compartment
Narrower terms: skybox
63
noun
Meaning 63
the driver's seat on a coach
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
an armed guard sat in the box with the driver
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: box seat
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: seat
64
noun
Meaning 64
any one of several designated areas on a ball field where the batter or catcher or coaches are positioned
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the umpire warned the batter to stay in the batter's box
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: area
Narrower terms: batter's box
65
noun
Meaning 65
evergreen shrubs or small trees
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: boxwood
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: shrub, bush
Narrower terms: common box, European box, Buxus sempervirens
66
noun
Meaning 66
the quantity contained in a box
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
he gave her a box of chocolates
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: boxful
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: containerful
67
noun
Meaning 67
a rectangular drawing
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the flowchart contained many boxes
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rectangle
68
noun
Meaning 68
a predicament from which a skillful or graceful escape is impossible
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
his lying got him into a tight corner
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: corner
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: predicament, quandary, plight
69
verb
Meaning 69
engage in a boxing match
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: contend, fight, struggle
Narrower terms: spar, prizefight, shadowbox
70
verb
Meaning 70
hit with the fist
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
I'll box your ears!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: hit
71
verb
Meaning 71
put into a box
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
box the gift, please
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: package
Antonyms: unbox
Broader terms: encase, incase, case
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek πῠ́ξος (pŭ́xos) Ancient Greek -ῐς (-ĭs) Ancient Greek πυξίς (puxís)bor. Late Latin buxisbor. Proto-West Germanic *buhsā Old English box Middle English box English box From Middle English box (“container, box, cup”), from Old English box (“box, case”), from Proto-West Germanic *buhsā (“box”) from Late Latin buxis (“box”), Latin pyxis (“small box for medicines or toiletries”), of uncertain origin; compare Ancient Greek πυξίς (puxís, “box or tablet made of boxwood; box; cylinder”) and πύξος (púxos, “box tree; boxwood”). Doublet of piseog, pyx, and pyxis. Cognate with Middle Dutch bosse, busse (“jar; tin; round box”) (modern Dutch bos (“wood, forest”), bus (“container, box; bushing of a wheel”)), Old High German buhsa (Middle High German buhse, bühse, modern German Büchse (“box; can”)), Swedish bössa (“box”). The humorous plural form boxen is from box + -en, by analogy with oxen. (motor racing): Used since it is more distinct over the radio compared to pit. Also from German Boxenstopp (“pit stop”).
Etymology tree Latin buxusbor. Proto-West Germanic *buhs Old English box Middle English box English box From Middle English box (“box tree; boxwood”), from Old English box (“box tree”), from Proto-West Germanic *buhs (“box tree; thing made from boxwood”), from Latin buxus (“box tree; thing made from boxwood”), buxum (“box tree; boxwood”), possibly from πύξος (púxos, “box tree; boxwood”).
From Middle English box (“a blow; a stroke with a weapon”); further origin uncertain, with relation to Proto-Germanic *boki-, whence Danish bask (“a blow; a stripe”), Danish baske (“to flap, move around, beat violently”), Middle Dutch boke (“a blow, a hit”), bōken (“to slap, strike”) (modern Dutch beuken (“to slap”)), West Frisian bûkje, bûtse, bûtsje (“to slap”), West Frisian and Saterland Frisian batsje (“to slap”), Low German betschen (“to slap, beat with a flat hand”), Middle High German buc (“a blow, a stroke”), bochen (“to slap, strike”), and further onomatopoeic shaping. The verb is from Middle English boxen (“to beat or whip (an animal)”), which is derived from the noun.
From Latin bōx, from Ancient Greek βῶξ (bôx, “box (marine fish)”), from βοῦς (boûs, “ox”) + ὤψ (ṓps, “eye, view”), a reference to the large size of the fish's eyes relative to its body.
Across languages
Translations
762 source translations are retained for this English entry.