sandbox

American  

[sand-boks] / ˈsændˌbɒks /

noun

1. a box or receptacle for holding sand, especially one large enough for children to play in.

2. Computers. an environment in which software developers or editors can create and test new content, separate from other content in the project (often used attributively).

   sandbox web design;

   New features are tested and critiqued in the demo sandbox.

---

adjective

1. Digital Technology. noting or relating to a genre of video game with a nonlinear structure that allows players to roam freely.

sandbox British  

/ ˈsændˌbɒks /

noun

1. a container on a railway locomotive from which sand is released onto the rails to assist the traction

2. a box with sand shaped for moulding metal

3. a container of sand for small children to play in

4. computing a protected environment in which an untrusted program may be run without affecting other parts of the system

---

Etymology

Origin of sandbox

First recorded in 1565–75; sand + box ¹

Example Sentences

He wandered over to his sandbox, sat down on the triangular corner seat, and reached for a big spoon that was partly buried in the sand and dirt.

From Literature

Boo hops to the sandbox, sits down, and starts shoveling fast and furious.

From Literature

But on Monday, the children of Normont stepped into a friendlier scene on campus and were off and running on their new $3.3-million playground, a gift that is far more than sandboxes, grass and gardens.

From Los Angeles Times

You have to provide them with a sandbox to play with it.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s fun to just play around in the sandbox and experiment and stumble upon something.

From Los Angeles Times