Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

big-box

American  
[big-boks] / ˈbɪgˈbɒks /

adjective

  1. pertaining to or noting a very large retail store that does a high volume of business and usually has low prices.

    Big-box retailers claim that they create jobs and boost tax revenue.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of big-box

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He says that Aldi targets a lean, highly efficient model that provides about 80% of what a traditional big-box retailer carries, but at a much lower cost.

From BBC Jul. 12, 2026

The big-box warehouse club also said it removed “statements concerning preservatives from the signs and on-line presentations” in an effort to “maintain consistency.”

From Salon Jun. 17, 2026

But California Coastkeeper Alliance and other nonprofit groups submitted petitions to regional water officials across the state this week demanding they begin regulating commercial properties such as big-box stores, auto dealers and industrial parks.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 5, 2026

At Walmart US, which accounts for about two-thirds of revenues, the big-box chain scored a 26 percent increase in e-commerce sales, while pointing to higher levels of "expedited" deliveries of under three hours to consumers.

From Barron's May 21, 2026

The retail-sales data may not fully reflect what’s happening at big-box retailers where customers go to buy major appliances and home goods, he told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch May 15, 2026

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training