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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pillbox

The women would often wear these extravagant, floral hats or don a more subtle pillbox style.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 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

He advised people not to attempt to go inside the pillbox "for safety reasons, especially not when the tide's coming in".

From BBC ● Dec. 8, 2023

Her natural curls combed back to fit under a useless pillbox hat with her body completely shrouded in a wool coat, she stares straight forward like a child soldier on the front lines.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 28, 2022

The small, dark pillbox atop his head was gold-embroidered with Islam’s flag, the sun, moon, and stars.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

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