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

A duet with the singer Riley Green, it sounded as retro as a dusty jukebox.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Where “I Think You Should Leave” operates like a jukebox, “The Chair Company” is a concept album extrapolating a single sight gag into a swirl of lunacy on par with an extended free jazz performance.

From Salon • Oct. 13, 2025

The couple took over The Dew Drop Inn, a jukebox joint, and turned it into a beauty salon.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 12, 2025

He had placed a jukebox in one corner of the front room and a tall formica counter along the side wall.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago