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.

---

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

---

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

The cliff East Runton's pillbox once perched on collapsed years ago, as a result of coastal erosion.

From BBC ● Dec. 8, 2023

Winter storms have unearthed a World War Two pillbox on a sandy beach and revealed its interior.

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

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

• beret