window box

American  

noun

1. a box for growing plants, placed at or in a window.

2. a hollow space in a window frame for a sash weight.

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window box British  

noun

1. a long narrow box, placed on or outside a windowsill, in which plants are grown

2. either of a pair of vertical boxes, attached to the sides of a sash window frame, that enclose a sash cord and counterbalancing weight

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Etymology

Origin of window box

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Surrounded by pavement but longing for a garden, her grandfather built a window box that sat outside on a flat roof that could be accessed only through a bedroom window.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 16, 2024

Just clip some of the fresh mint and lemon balm you've been growing in your window box, grab that local honey you paid top dollar for at your farmer's market and juice a few lemons.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2023

Farzana Chaudry from Watford spent "four long nights" knitting a Gareth Southgate and three lions to adorn her front window box.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2021

“Whole worlds are contained within a lovingly planted terra cotta pot, a window box or a jungle of plants grown indoors.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2020

I fished the one cup I owned out of the knapsack and poured in hot water and a spoonful of sugar from my supplies, plus a sprig of mint from Mama’s window box.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron