box cutter

American  

[boks kuht-er] / ˈbɒks ˌkʌt ər /

noun

1. a small cutting tool consisting of a retractable razor blade in a metal or plastic holder, designed for opening cardboard cartons.

---

box cutter British  

noun

1. a knife-like tool with a short retractable blade

---

Etymology

Origin of box cutter

First recorded in 1825–30 in the sense of a person who cuts boxes; current sense dates from 1950–55

Example Sentences

A Frontier Airlines flight on Nov. 11 landed early after a passenger brought a box cutter onto the plane, something TSA later said happened because agents made errors during the security screening.

From Washington Post

“The backpack containing the other box cutter, and the remainder of the traveler’s property, was screened for explosives, but the box cutter was not discovered.”

From New York Times

In violation of T.S.A. policy, this box cutter was returned to the passenger after its blades were removed.

From New York Times

It was not immediately clear how the man had been able to get a box cutter onto the airplane.

From New York Times

Lacking additional paper, he used a box cutter to shape a piece of cardboard that he could wrap around the object.

From New York Times