collection box: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to Formal
Quick answer
What does “collection box” mean?
A container with a slot, often sealed, into which money is placed, typically for a charitable or specific cause.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A container with a slot, often sealed, into which money is placed, typically for a charitable or specific cause.
A receptacle, often prominently placed, for gathering donations, offerings, or payments in a semi-public context. Metaphorically, any source or repository where contributions are aggregated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is standard in both. In UK contexts, 'charity box' or 'donation box' are common alternatives. In US religious contexts, 'offering plate' or 'alms box' may be used instead.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of small-scale, voluntary, often communal giving in both.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English due to historical and cultural prominence of charitable collections in public spaces and shops.
Grammar
How to Use “collection box” in a Sentence
A [charity] collection box stood on the counter.They passed the collection box around the congregation.Money was deposited in the collection box.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “collection box” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The volunteers will collection-box at the supermarket entrance.
- They were collection-boxing for the lifeboat service.
American English
- They plan to collection-box at the county fair.
- She spent the afternoon collection-boxing for the animal shelter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'collection box for staff charity fundraiser'.
Academic
Very rare, except in historical/sociological studies of charity.
Everyday
Common in contexts of charity shops, churches, community events, and street fundraising.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “collection box”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “collection box”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “collection box”
- Using 'collection' without 'box' when referring to the physical object (e.g., 'Put it in the collection').
- Misspelling as 'collecting box' (less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A piggy bank is for personal savings. A collection box is for gathering money from multiple people for a shared, often charitable, cause.
No, it refers specifically to a physical container. The digital equivalent would be a 'donation page', 'portal', or 'link'.
'Pass' (as in 'pass the collection box around') and 'put money in' or 'donate to' are most common.
'Collection box' is the standard term. 'Collecting box' is occasionally used but is less frequent and may sound slightly old-fashioned or dialectal.
A container with a slot, often sealed, into which money is placed, typically for a charitable or specific cause.
Collection box is usually neutral to formal in register.
Collection box: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈlɛkʃ(ə)n bɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈlɛkʃ(ə)n bɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The collection box came up short.”
- “He passed the collection box without contributing.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COLLECTION of coins in a BOX, like a piggy bank for a cause.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTAINER FOR GOODWILL / A VESSEL FOR SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is NOT a typical characteristic of a collection box?