sweatbox

American  

[swet-boks] / ˈswɛtˌbɒks /

noun

1. a sauna or other enclosure for sweating.

2. any uncomfortably warm room or environment.

3. a box or cell in which a prisoner is punished or given the third degree.

4. a device for removing moisture from tobacco leaves, figs, raisins, etc.

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sweatbox British  

/ ˈswɛtˌbɒks /

noun

1. a device for causing tobacco leaves, fruit, or hides to sweat

2. a very small pen or cubicle where a pig is fattened intensively

3. informal a narrow room or cell for a prisoner

4. informal any place where a person sweats on account of confinement, heat, etc

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Etymology

Origin of sweatbox

First recorded in 1870–75; sweat + box ¹

Example Sentences

Friday’s second most dangerous band, Acid Tongue, turned Neumos into a veritable sweatbox burning with good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll adrenaline.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 24, 2023

Nowadays, he stage sweatbox of backbends, arm-snaps and body rolls that recall pin-sharp choreography of a Madonna tour.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2022

It’s the last day of June and 03 Greedo is on the other end of the phone speaking from inside a sweatbox Texas state prison where he’s spent the last two years.

From Washington Post • Aug. 21, 2020

The shanty smells like a century-old sweatbox, yet appears bereft of history that should properly reflect its age.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2019

A few people left the courtroom, but Grampa and I stayed in that sweatbox and waited.

From "Mississippi Trial, 1955" by Chris Crowe