box office

noun

1
a
: an office (as in a theater) where tickets of admission are sold
b
: income from ticket sales (as for a film)
2
: the ability (as of a show) to attract ticket buyers
also : something that enhances that ability
any publicity is good box office

Examples of box office in a Sentence

The box office will open at 10:00 a.m.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The movie ranked second at the weekend box office behind Paramount and Legendary’s Street Fighter, which grossed $31 million. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026 Last May, Backrooms — about a horrifying liminal space that exists beyond our own reality — smashed box office records. — Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 18 Oct. 2026 In a major shift in the theatrical tides, Netflix has reported box office grosses for the first time ever. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026 There’s plenty of adult sophisticated fare at the fall box office that’s struggling. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for box office

Word History

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of box office was in 1741

Rhymes for box office

See All Rhymes for box office

Browse Nearby Words

box off
box office
box oyster
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Box office.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/box%20office. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

box office

noun
: an office in a public place (as a theater or stadium) where admission tickets are sold
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