Box-office
the office of a theater, stadium, or the like, at which tickets are sold.
Theater.
receipts from a play or other entertainment.
entertainment popular enough to attract paying audiences and make a profit:
This show will be good box office.
of or relating to the box office or to the business and commercial aspects of the theater:
a box-office window; box-office receipts; a box-office attraction.
Contemporary Examples
Johnny Depp and the ‘Lone Ranger’ Flop: Is His Career Doomed? Kevin Fallon July 8, 2013
Apocalypse Now: The 10 Best Ways Hollywood Destroyed the World Shannon Donnelly, The Daily Beast Video November 29, 2009
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Turns 65: How It Became a Classic December 18, 2011
Hollywood’s Fake Math Kim Masters September 7, 2009
Tips From One D.C. Scandal Girl to Another Jessica Cutler June 18, 2009
Historical Examples
Pincher Martin, O.D. H. Taprell Dorling
The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume I (of 2) Alexandre Dumas pre
Sister Carrie Theodore Dreiser
Old Fogy James Huneker
The Girl From His Town Marie Van Vorst
noun
an office at a theatre, cinema, etc, where tickets are sold
the receipts from a play, film, etc
the public appeal of an actor or production: the musical was bad box office
(as modifier): a box-office success
The office where seats for a play, concert, or other form of entertainment may be purchased, as in Tickets are available at the box office. It is so called because originally (17th century) it was the place for hiring a box, a special compartment of theater seats set aside for ladies. [ Second half of 1700s ]
The financial receipts from a performance; also, a show’s relative success in attracting a paying audience. For example, You may not consider it great art, but this play is good box office. [ c. 1900 ]
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