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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• big box
  noun

Etymology

Origin of big-box

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Last week the big box retailer reported better-than-expected first quarter earnings and boosted its revenue outlook for the year.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

Don eventually remarried and had three more kids, but he held on to a big box of Cynthia’s clothes and other keepsakes, including a lock of hair and bottle of her perfume.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

“Kids like just about everything,” she said — pointing to how, at Christmas, the most popular “gift” often turns out to be a big box itself, rather than the item inside it.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

STOCKHOLM—IKEA will close seven big box stores in China and focus more on small format outlets as it responds to economic challenges and moves to sell its furniture closer to its customers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

I notice a big box filled with stuff from around the apartment.

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle