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matchbox

American  
[mach-boks] / ˈmætʃˌbɒks /

noun

  1. a small box, usually of cardboard, for matches.


matchbox British  
/ ˈmætʃˌbɒks /

noun

  1. a small box for holding matches

"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 matchbox

First recorded in 1780–90; match 1 + 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.

See Examples For:

These so-called inertial navigation units, which range from the size of a matchbox to that of a Kleenex box, can be made for use in the air, on land, underground or underwater.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 18, 2026

In a matter of months, they transformed the heaps of charred rubble into mostly vacant matchbox lots, ready for rebuilding.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 22, 2025

The party turned out to be on a roof that could be accessed only through a window too small to fit the matchbox.

From Slate Jul. 21, 2025

It passed people selling sculptures and paintings and bouquets and sunglasses and multicolored matchbox cars.

From Seattle Times Jul. 11, 2023

Not looking at Mo and Elinor either, he put a hand in his pants pocket and brought out a matchbox.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

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