pillbox

noun

pill·​box ˈpil-ˌbäks How to pronounce pillbox (audio)
Synonyms of pillboxnext
1
: a box for pills
especially : a shallow round box of pasteboard
2
: a small low concrete emplacement for machine guns and antitank weapons
3
: a small round hat without a brim
specifically : a woman's shallow hat with a flat crown and straight sides

Examples of pillbox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The uniforms were originally sky blue and designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and were accompanied by pillbox-esque hats. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 30 Aug. 2026 The top matched with her miniskirt, knee-high platform boots, and pillbox hat. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026 Her hair, styled in loose waves beneath a brown pillbox hat, appeared several shades lighter than the rich brunette hue she has long been known for. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Freeman recommends trying to form a habit, such as keeping your pillbox next to an alarm or toothbrush. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pillbox

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pillbox was in 1702

Rhymes for pillbox

See All Rhymes for pillbox

Browse Nearby Words

pill-bearing spurge
pillbox
pill bug
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pillbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pillbox. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

pillbox

noun
pill·​box ˈpil-ˌbäks How to pronounce pillbox (audio)
1
: a small usually shallow box for pills
2
: a small low fortification for machine guns and antitank weapons
3
: a small round hat without a brim

More from Merriam-Webster on pillbox

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pillbox

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All