pillbox: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, with technical/military and historical/fashion registers for extended meanings.
Quick answer
What does “pillbox” mean?
A small, portable container for holding pills or tablets, typically with a secure lid.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, portable container for holding pills or tablets, typically with a secure lid.
A small, low, reinforced concrete fortification or military emplacement, often disguised; a small, cylindrical or round-shaped hat popular in the mid-20th century.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use all three meanings. The military meaning may be slightly more common in British historical contexts (WWII). The hat is also referred to as a 'doll's hat' or 'skimmer' in US fashion contexts.
Connotations
In everyday use, neutral. The military term connotes WWII, defense, and bunkers. The fashion term connotes 1960s style, Jackie Kennedy, and formal attire.
Frequency
The container meaning is the most frequent in both varieties. The military meaning is low-frequency and context-specific. The hat meaning is rare and specialized.
Grammar
How to Use “pillbox” in a Sentence
[Verb] + pillbox: occupy/fortify/attack a pillbox[Adjective] + pillbox: concrete/reinforced/abandoned pillbox[Preposition] + pillbox: in/from/inside a pillboxVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pillbox” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The coastline was heavily pillboxed during the war.
American English
- Engineers were tasked with pillboxing the vulnerable approach.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not typically used.
Academic
Used in historical or military studies discussing WWII defensive architecture.
Everyday
Primarily for the medicine container. 'Don't forget to refill your Monday pillbox.'
Technical
In military engineering and history for the small fortification.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pillbox”
- Using 'pillbox' to refer to a large medicine cabinet or a pharmacy. Confusing the military 'pillbox' with a larger 'bunker' or 'foxhole'. Using the hat meaning in modern contexts without historical reference.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, compound word: 'pillbox'.
Rarely. In specialized military/historical writing, it can mean 'to fortify with pillboxes,' but this usage is very uncommon.
A pillbox is a small, often pre-fabricated concrete fortification for a few soldiers or a machine gun. A bunker is generally larger, often underground, and can serve as a command post or shelter for more people.
It is considered a classic, timeless style but is not a mainstream everyday item. It appears occasionally in formal wear, weddings, and fashion collections referencing mid-20th-century aesthetics.
A small, portable container for holding pills or tablets, typically with a secure lid.
Pillbox is usually neutral, with technical/military and historical/fashion registers for extended meanings. in register.
Pillbox: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɪl.bɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɪl.bɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated with 'pillbox'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOX for your PILLS. For the military meaning, imagine soldiers taking pills for courage inside a small, concrete BOX.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER IS A FORTIFICATION (The small, protective pill container is mapped onto a small, protective military structure).
Practice
Quiz
In a non-military, everyday context, a 'pillbox' is most likely to be: