firebox

American

[fahyuhr-boks] / ˈfaɪərˌbɒks /

noun

the box or chamber containing the fire of a steam boiler, furnace, etc.
the furnace of a locomotive, where coal, oil, or other fuel is burned to generate steam.
a box or panel with a device for notifying the fire station of an outbreak of fire.
Obsolete. a tinderbox.

firebox British

/ ˈfaɪəˌbɒks /

noun

the furnace chamber of a boiler in a steam locomotive
an obsolete word for tinderbox

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of firebox

First recorded in 1545–55; fire + box ¹

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.

The temperature-controlled Firebox iKettle connects via Wi-Fi to your smartphone, a feature we find unnecessary.

From Slate • Oct. 26, 2018

Created by the co-founder of online retailer Firebox, Michael Acton Smith, Moshi Monsters launched in 2008 but really took off last year, when it introduced social-networking tools.

From The Guardian • Apr. 24, 2010

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023