glove box

G

glove box (compound noun)
/ˈɡlʌv bɑːks/

Meanings

• A small storage compartment built into a car’s dashboard for keeping documents and small items.
• A sealed container with attached gloves used in laboratories to safely handle hazardous or sensitive materials without direct contact.
• (Informal) A place in a car where drivers keep important items such as registration papers, insurance cards, maps, or sunglasses.

Synonyms: dashboard compartment; glove compartment; dash compartment; car storage compartment; sealed laboratory chamber.

Example Sentences

1. During the traffic stop, Michael opened the glove box to show the officer his vehicle registration.
2. The chemist carefully handled the reactive chemicals inside the glove box to avoid contamination.
3. Laura keeps a flashlight and spare charger in the glove box in case of emergencies on long trips.

Etymology and Origin

The phrase “glove box” is believed to have originated from the practical need to store driving gloves in early automobiles, which were often open to the elements and lacked heating systems. This made gloves essential for protecting hands from cold, wind, and dirt while driving.

The compartment was designed as a dedicated space for such items, reflecting the transition from horse-drawn carriages to motorized vehicles where accessories like gloves became standard equipment for motorists.

Over time, as cars became enclosed and climate-controlled, the compartment’s purpose expanded to general storage, but the name persisted as a linguistic remnant of early automotive practices.

Country of Origin

The phrase “glove box” first appeared in the United States, where early automobile innovations, including storage compartments, were developed to distinguish cars from traditional carriages. American manufacturers integrated these features into vehicle designs around the turn of the 20th century, and the term gained prominence in American literature and culture.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest printed record of the term “glove compartment,” synonymous with “glove box,” appears in the novel The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler, published on February 6, 1939. In the work, the phrase is used in the context of retrieving items from a car:

“I went to the car and got a pair of handcuffs out of the glove compartment and twisted his wrists behind him and snapped them on.”

This usage marks the initial documented appearance in print, capturing the compartment’s role in everyday automotive scenarios.

Variants

• glove compartment
• car glove box
• dashboard glove box
• laboratory glove box

Important

Last update: March 9, 2026 8:23 AM