jukebox

American  

[jook-boks] / ˈdʒukˌbɒks /

noun

1. a coin-operated phonograph, typically in a gaudy, illuminated cabinet, having a variety of records that can be selected by push button.

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jukebox British  

/ ˈdʒuːkˌbɒks /

noun

1. a coin-operated machine, usually found in pubs, clubs, etc, that contains records, CDs, or videos, which are played when selected by a customer

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Etymology

Origin of jukebox

1915–20; juke ² ( joint ) + box ¹

Explanation

A jukebox is a machine that plays a song when you insert money. Jukeboxes are pretty rare these days, but you might come across one at, say, an old-fashioned diner. In the 1930s, a juke was a small restaurant where people could eat, drink, and dance. "Juking" meant dancing and getting rowdy. When a music vending machine came along, people called it a jukebox because they could crank up the music and really let loose. Originally, jukeboxes were large, cabinet-style devices that played vinyl records; you could drop in a dime or a quarter and choose your favorite song. These days, jukeboxes have gone digital.

Example Sentences

Lunch finished, we settle next to a Wurlitzer jukebox in the corner of the room.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

So instead, Jackson’s family — who largely backed the film — producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua opted to refocus the film more squarely on his music, effectively turning it into a jukebox musical.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 26, 2026

How has a band that’s been together for more than 50 years managed to remain a creative force without burning out, splitting up or devolving into little more than a human jukebox pumping out nostalgia?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Check the jukebox, because the same song seems to be stuck on repeat.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Inside the jail, Ben and Sammy could hear the semisweet, candently primitive rhythms of jukebox blues diffusing out of unseen nightclubs.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy