sandbox

[ sand-boks ]

noun

1. a box or receptacle for holding sand, especially one large enough for children to play in.
2. Computers. an environment in which software developers or editors can create and test new content, separate from other content in the project (often used attributively):

   sandbox web design;

   New features are tested and critiqued in the demo sandbox.

adjective

1. Digital Technology. noting or relating to a genre of video game with a nonlinear structure that allows players to roam freely.

sandbox

/ ˈsændˌbɒks /

noun

1. a container on a railway locomotive from which sand is released onto the rails to assist the traction
2. a box with sand shaped for moulding metal
3. a container of sand for small children to play in
4. computing a protected environment in which an untrusted program may be run without affecting other parts of the system

Word History and Origins

Origin of sandbox¹

First recorded in 1565–75; sand + box ¹

Example Sentences

It’s build with exploration in mind and it is the most diverse sandbox we’ve created yet.

From Washington Post

With Google, I like to use the custom audience or sandbox building of display campaigns.

From Search Engine Land

It allows smaller firms to play in the same sandbox as the bigger ones.

From Quartz

It’s almost as good as meeting up in real life, only you’re in the digital world’s biggest sandbox.

From Popular-Science

Sometimes he talks about a kind of hyper-realistic simulated sandbox, where AIs can cut their teeth and skin their virtual knees.

From MIT Technology Review

Wall Street gets to game the government; Republican big wigs get to mimic their masters in a sandbox of their own.

From The Daily Beast

The only action in town has been a public blame game that gives sandbox politics a bad name.

From The Daily Beast

“It is our democracy sandbox, our personal bully pulpit,” she said.

From The Daily Beast

VIEW OUR EXCLUSIVE IMAGES of teensy motorcycle jackets, mini trench coats, and other highlights of sandbox style.

From The Daily Beast

In Jamaica they call it the sandbox-tree, because they get the pretty, fluted seed cases, and make sand-boxes of them.

From Project Gutenberg

Terrence shouted and hit the dirt behind a sandbox in the schoolyard as the Rumi resumed firing.

From Project Gutenberg

Its barrenness was formerly much exaggerated, when it was popularly described as the “sandbox of the Holy Roman Empire.”

From Project Gutenberg

The small pedestal-mounted sandbox was used on several Cumberland Valley engines including the Pioneer.

From Project Gutenberg

The sandbox was that on which a fire might be lighted at sea if need were, but none had been used on it as yet.

From Project Gutenberg