sandbox

American  

[sand-boks] / ˈsændˌbɒks /

noun

1. a box or receptacle for holding sand, especially one large enough for children to play in.

2. Computers. an environment in which software developers or editors can create and test new content, separate from other content in the project (often used attributively).

   sandbox web design;

   New features are tested and critiqued in the demo sandbox.

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adjective

1. Digital Technology. noting or relating to a genre of video game with a nonlinear structure that allows players to roam freely.

sandbox British  

/ ˈsændˌbɒks /

noun

1. a container on a railway locomotive from which sand is released onto the rails to assist the traction

2. a box with sand shaped for moulding metal

3. a container of sand for small children to play in

4. computing a protected environment in which an untrusted program may be run without affecting other parts of the system

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Etymology

Origin of sandbox

First recorded in 1565–75; sand + box ¹

Example Sentences

You have to provide them with a sandbox to play with it.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s fun to just play around in the sandbox and experiment and stumble upon something.

From Los Angeles Times

“Our social life, when we lived in East Rockaway, was around our kids in the sandbox,” said Weill.

From The Wall Street Journal

He's previously described the fatigue of managing vast open-world sandbox games like Red Dead Redemption and GTA as playing a role in his departure.

From BBC

Traipsing through genres and time periods, these excursions are an opportunity for Bi and his creative team to frolic in various cinematic sandboxes.

From Los Angeles Times