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Definition of jawbox

jawbox

/ˈdʒɔːˌbɑːks/
jaw · box
Plural:jawboxes
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jawbox Lexical Profile

jawbox Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Scottish A large, deep, typically ceramic kitchen sink, especially one formerly found in the communal areas of tenement buildings.

Example

"The old Glasgow tenement still had its original ceramic jawbox in the kitchen, a nostalgic reminder of the past."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for jawbox

Word Nuance & Usage

Chiefly used in Scottish and Ulster dialect to refer to a deep, rectangular ceramic sink, often a Belfast or Butler sink.

• Nearby Words

javelin sand boa
javelina
jawbone
jawbox
jawfish
jay
jaya

Word Origin & Etymology

Originated in 19th-century Scotland, combining 'jaw' (slang for talking or gossiping) and 'box', because communal sinks on the landings of tenement buildings were common gathering places for residents to chat.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Jawbox. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/jawbox
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