pillbox

American  

[pil-boks] / ˈpɪlˌbɒks /

noun

1. a box, usually shallow and often round, for holding pills.

2. a small, low structure of reinforced concrete, enclosing machine guns, and employed as a minor fortress in warfare.

3. a small, round, brimless hat with straight sides and a flat top, worn especially by women.

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pillbox British  

/ ˈpɪlˌbɒks /

noun

1. a box for pills

2. a small enclosed fortified emplacement, usually made of reinforced concrete

3. a small round hat, now worn esp by women

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Etymology

Origin of pillbox

First recorded in 1720–30; pill ¹ + box ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pillbox

Molly, 32, wore a white short-sleeved mini dress with a matching pillbox hat and netted veil for the occassion, while Tom, 26, wore a black suit and tie.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

Apparently nostalgic for the Champagne, pillbox hats and soft-lit glamour that supposedly characterized the skies in the 1950s and ’60s, U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2025

Niels Thomas, of National Coastwatch Institution Cromer, said: "The recent stormy seas have effectively jet-washed the pillbox and removed the sand."

From BBC ● Dec. 8, 2023

Unthinkable as it seems, Edna was dowdy then, given to mousy brown hair and pillbox hats.

From New York Times ● Apr. 22, 2023

She was looking for the perfect pillbox hat for church, as well.

From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English

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