Cardboard Box Definition, Uses & Examples

Meaning 1：cardboard box (Cardboard Box)

Cardboard Box 🔊

/ˈkɑːrdbɔːrd bɑːks/

a box made of thick, stiff paper, often used for packing, moving, or storing things.

cardboard box 🔊

➕

/ˈkɑːrdbɔːrd bɑːks/

A container made of thick, stiff paper (cardboard), typically used for packing, moving, or storing items.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Card' + 'board' = stiff paper sheet; 'box' from Latin 'buxus' (boxwood).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of thick card + a board forming a sturdy box for storage.

📖 Example

We packed all our books into cardboard boxes for the move. 🔊 We packed all our books into cardboard boxes for the move.

🔗 Collocations

pack a cardboard box – to fill a cardboard box with items for storage or transport

move with cardboard boxes – to relocate belongings using cardboard boxes

store items in a cardboard box – to keep objects inside a cardboard box for safekeeping

🔄 Synonyms

carton (n.) – A light box or container made of thin cardboard, often used for packaging food or drinks.

crate (n.) – A strong wooden or plastic container used for transporting goods.

📖 Cultural Story

Cardboard box has been in use since the early 19th century. The first commercial cardboard box was produced in England in 1817 for silk packaging. Today, it's ubiquitous in moving and shipping.