1. A (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
   "he rummaged through a box of spare parts"
    
2. Private area in a theatre or grandstand where a small group can watch the performance
   "the royal box was empty";
   - loge
    
3. The quantity contained in a box
   "he gave her a box of chocolates";
   - boxful
    
4. Separate partitioned area in a public place for a few people
   "the sentry stayed in his box to avoid the cold"
    
5. Any one of several designated areas on a ball field where the batter, catcher or coaches are positioned
   "the umpire warned the batter to stay in the batter's box"
    
6. A rectangular drawing
   "the flowchart contained many boxes"
    
7. A predicament from which a skilful or graceful escape is impossible
   "his lying got him into a tight box";
   - corner
    
8. [Brit, informal] (television) an electronic device that receives television signals and displays them on a screen
   "The family gathered around the idiot box to watch the news";
   - television receiver, television, television set, tv, tv set, idiot box [N. Amer, informal], boob tube [N. Amer, informal], telly [Brit, informal], goggle box [Brit, informal], TV
    
9. An evergreen shrub or tree (genus Buxus)
   "They trimmed the box hedge into neat geometric shapes";
   - boxwood
    
10. The driver's seat on a coach
    "an armed guard sat in the box with the driver";
    - box seat
     
11. A blow with the hand (usually on the ear)
    "I gave him a good box on the ear"
     
12. (soccer) rectangular area in front of the goal; if a defender fouls in this area the other side are given a penalty kick
    "The defender committed a foul inside the penalty box";
    - penalty box, penalty area

1. Put into a box
   "box the gift, please";
   - package
    
2. (sport) engage in a boxing match
   "The two heavyweights boxed for the championship title"
    
3. Hit with the fist
   "I'll box your ears!"

Sounds like: bocks

Derived forms: boxing, boxes, boxed

Type of: area, blow, bush, case, compartment, container, containerful, encase, fight, hit, incase [rare], plight, predicament, quandary, receiver, receiving system, rectangle, seat, shrub, struggle

Antonym: unbox

Part of: balcony, ball field, baseball field, Buxus, coach, coach-and-four, diamond, four-in-hand, genus Buxus, television, television system, TV

Encyclopedia: Box, Matthew