black box

American  

noun

1. any unit that forms part of an electronic circuit and that has its function, but not its components, specified.

2. any comparatively small, usually black, box containing a secret, mysterious, or complex mechanical or electronic device.

3. Aeronautics. an electronic device, such as a flight recorder, that can be removed from an aircraft as a single package.

4. Automotive. a device in an electronic ignition system that generates electrical pulses.

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black box British  

noun

1. a self-contained unit in an electronic or computer system whose circuitry need not be known to understand its function

2. an informal name for flight recorder

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black box Cultural  

1. A crash-resistant steel container that holds instruments that record performance data in airplanes. The data are used to analyze the causes of accidents.

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Etymology

Origin of black box

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

black box

Still, Warsh remained something of a black box that Wednesday did little to open.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

"It's like looking at a black box," LaSala added.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 2, 2026

The black box was recovered from the wreckage of the plane crash and sent to the NTSB's laboratory in Washington DC for analysis.

From BBC ● May 5, 2026

Nearby, a new black box theater with high curved ceilings and 200 seats is meant to have a soft look.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

“Maybe the black box will work the next time, Archie,” Obie said.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier