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Definition of nestbox
nestbox
/ˈnɛst.bɒks/
nest · box
Plural:nestboxes
nestbox Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
5
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A man-made enclosure constructed to provide animals, particularly wild birds or domestic fowl, with a safe place to build a nest and raise their young.
Example
"The conservation team installed a wooden nestbox high up in the oak tree to help the declining owl population breed successfully."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for nestboxWord Nuance & Usage
Frequently spelled as two separate words ('nest box') in general writing, but the closed compound ('nestbox') is heavily favored in ornithological and avicultural contexts.
Word Origin & Etymology
A direct compound of 'nest' and 'box', gaining popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries alongside the rise of formal conservation efforts to provide artificial habitats for cavity-nesting birds.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nestbox. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nestbox