box1

Syllabification: (box)

Pronunciation: /bäks/

Definition of box

1a container with a flat base and sides, typically square or rectangular and having a lid:a cereal box a hat box
the contents of a box:she ate a whole box of chocolates that night
informal a casing containing a computer.
(the box) informal, chiefly British television or a television set:light entertainment shows on the box
informal a coffin:I always thought I’d be in a box when I finally left here
historical a coachman’s seat.
vulgar slang, chiefly North American a woman’s vagina.

2an area or space enclosed within straight lines, in particular.
an area on a printed page that is to be filled in or that is set off by a border:a picture of Sandy was in the upper right-hand box
an area on a computer screen for user input or displaying information.
(the box) (also the batter's box) Baseball the rectangular area occupied by the batter.
Baseball the rectangular area behind home plate for the catcher ( catcher’s box), or those near first and third bases, in foul territory, for each base coach ( coach’s box).
(the box) Soccer the penalty area:he curled in a shot from the edge of the box

3a small structure or building for a specific purpose, in particular.
a separate section or enclosed area within a larger building, especially one reserved for a group of people in a theater or sports ground or for witnesses or the jury in a law court:a box at the opera the jury was now in the box
British a small country house for use when hunting or fishing.

5a mailbox at a post office, newspaper office, or other facility where a person may arrange to receive correspondence:write to me care of PO Box 112

[with object]

(often as adjective boxed) put in or provide with a box:the books are sold as a boxed set Muriel boxed up all of Christopher’s clothes
enclose (a piece of text) within printed lines:boxed sections in magazines
(box someone in) restrict the ability of someone to move freely:a van had double-parked alongside her car and totally boxed her in

Phrases

back through the box: Baseball (of a batted ball) hit in the direction of the pitcher past second base.
in a box: restricted or limited:he will find himself in a box on US policy
in-a-box: packaged simply, cheaply, and conveniently:the Butler-in-a-Box is the gadget of your dreams
(right) out of the box: used to refer to the immediate usability or functionality of a newly purchased product, typically an electronic device or a piece of software:most laptops come with wireless capability out of the box console games need to be good to go right out of the box; chiefly US from the very beginning; immediately:his family memoir was a ratings smash right out of the box
think outside (of) the box: think in an original or creative way:you have to give him credit for thinking outside the box

box someone out: Basketball block an opponent from an area by the position of one’s body:Miller neglected to box out his man in the final seconds

late Old English, probably from late Latin buxis, from Latin pyxis 'boxwood box', from Greek puxos (see box³)

Definition of box in the British & World English dictionary