noun

box

boks

noun

A rigid container, typically rectangular, with a lid or flaps, used to hold or transport things.

"She packed her books into a cardboard box before the move."

"He kept old letters in a wooden box under his bed."

verb

To put something into a box or boxes.

"Please box up the leftover food for the guests to take home."

To fight an opponent using the fists, typically wearing padded gloves, as a sport.

"He's been training to box competitively since he was fifteen."

How to Use Box

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA container for holding things, or the sport of fighting with the fists.

Common mistake

Don't confuse "box" (the sport) with "boxer" (the fighter, or the dog breed).

Common pairings

box of chocolates cardboard box box someone in box a match

boxed past tense, boxed past tense, boxes plural, boxes plural, boxes plural, boxes singular, boxes singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “box” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Can you complete this real example?

She packed her books into a cardboard _____ before the move.

Traces back through Old English "box" and Late Latin "buxis" to Ancient Greek "pyxis," a small container originally made of boxwood.

unbox uncase unpack

pack unpack

Xbox inbox icebox sandbox gearbox soapbox toolbox jukebox shoebox mailbox lockbox lunchbox

unbox uncase unpack pack