pillarbox

[ pil-er-boks ]

noun

1. a technique for displaying a video recorded in portrait orientation on a wider screen by reducing its size but retaining the aspect ratio, with black bands filling the screen to the right and left of the picture (often used attributively): Compare letterbox ( def 2 ).

   pillarbox format.

verb (used with object)

1. to display (a film or video) by using the pillarbox technique.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillarbox¹

2000–05; pillar ( def ) + box ¹( def ), perhaps referencing the two black bands (or pillars) used to box in the video content

Example Sentences

With a beating heart she went out to post the letter herself, and as it dropped into the pillarbox, she prayed softly to "God."

From Project Gutenberg