puzzle box

American  

noun

Psychology.

1. an enclosure, used in experiments in animal learning, from which an animal must escape or in which it must manipulate various devices.

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Etymology

Origin of puzzle box

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Squirrels should be smart enough to take the easy pickings over the puzzle box.

From Slate • Jan. 25, 2026

Using an automated puzzle box system they developed, the team designed an experiment to test this immigration hypothesis.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2024

That was a really compelling and interesting puzzle box to work your way out of.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2024

To carry out the study, the scientists created a puzzle box that could be opened by rotating a lid to access a sugar solution.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2023

Then he closes the puzzle box and locks the gate and trots away.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr