light box

American  

noun

1. a boxlike object having a uniformly lighted surface, as of ground glass, against which films or transparencies can be held for examination.

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light box British  

noun

1. a light source contained in a box and covered with a diffuser, used for viewing photographic transparencies, negatives, etc

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Etymology

Origin of light box

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

light box

The final scene after almost 90 minutes featured Colbert and McCartney going to the light box of the theater and pulling the lever to “off.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026

If it’s too dark when you get up, especially in the winter, use a light box or an alarm clock like the Hatch Restore 3, which slowly lights up to ease you out of slumber.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 11, 2026

At one point, people dressed in hazmat suits pretend to give Kendrick a Covid test inside a light box.

From New York Times ● Dec. 27, 2022

Both groups received an hour of treatment from a light box for two weeks.

From Salon ● Apr. 21, 2022

Dr. Howard told me that even if the light box works, it will take a few months to start seeing any improvement, but I still glance down at myself afterward.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish