box lunch

American  

noun

1. a lunch or light meal packed in a cardboard box or similar container.

   Each student was given a box lunch to eat on the bus.

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Etymology

Origin of box lunch

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

“He charged 25 cents, and they got a box lunch in the deal,” says John Murdy, known today as the architect of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2023

Her father, despite being partially impaired by a stroke, would buy her a box lunch with cod.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 11, 2021

Gerald knew airline food was really expensive, so he brought a box lunch.

From Washington Post • Mar. 25, 2021

After an exhausting day visiting the memorials, a flight museum and Arlington cemetery, eating a box lunch on the bus and grabbing a dinner back at the airport, it was time to go home.

From New York Times • Nov. 11, 2019

Most of the kids follow Ms. Cherry into the pizza line, except Chin and I have box lunch.

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins