boxcar

American  

[boks-kahr] / ˈbɒksˌkɑr /

noun

1. Railroads. a completely enclosed freight car.

2. boxcars, a pair of sixes on the first throw of the dice in the game of craps.

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adjective

1. Informal. extremely or disproportionately large.

   The business had boxcar profits during its first year.

boxcar British  

/ ˈbɒksˌkɑː /

noun

1. a closed railway freight van

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Etymology

Origin of boxcar

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; box ¹ + car ¹

Example Sentences

He attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for undergrad and continued at its College of Law, working summers in the boxcar factory where his father was employed.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

As California historian Kevin Starr wrote, Culver used gimmicks and giveaways and stunts like kids’ boxcar races, raffles, parades, and, memorably, a polo game played from the running boards of Model Ts.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2023

Mr. Mallory contended that his job entailed spraying boxcar pipes with asbestos and demolishing car interiors that, he claims, contained carcinogens.

From New York Times • Jun. 27, 2023

The object of the game is for players to fill a boxcar with tokens and get it to the other side of a board.

From Washington Post • Mar. 24, 2023

Figures, rough customers, slouched in the boxcar doors, smoking.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck