Sandbox: meaning, definitions and examples

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sandbox

 

[ ˈsændˌbɒks ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

playground

A sandbox is a small area filled with sand where children can play and build sandcastles.

Synonyms

play area, sand area, sandpit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sandbox

Used to refer to a designated area filled with sand for children's play, commonly found in parks, playgrounds, and backyards.

  • The children spent the afternoon building castles in the sandbox
  • They installed a new sandbox in our neighborhood park
sandpit

Another term for a sandbox, typically used in British English to denote a small box filled with sand meant for children to play in.

  • The kids had a great time digging in the sandpit
  • The park has both a sandpit and a play area with swings
sand area

Specifies a general region covered with sand, which can be part of a beach, a large playground, or even a construction site, not solely designed for children's play.

  • Please avoid the sand area where the new building is being constructed
  • The beach has a designated sand area for volleyball games
play area

A broader term that can refer to any designated place where children can play, not limited to just sand but can include various playground equipment and activities.

  • They built a new play area with slides and swings at the park
  • The indoor play area has a ball pit, climbing frames, and a soft play section

Examples of usage

  • The kids love playing in the sandbox at the park.
  • The sandbox is a popular spot for the children to gather.
Context #2 | Noun

computing

In computing, a sandbox is a security mechanism for separating running programs in order to prevent malicious software from damaging a system.

Synonyms

isolated environment, secure container.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sandbox

Commonly used in technology and software development to describe a controlled environment where testing, development, and experimentation can happen without affecting the actual system.

  • Developers often use a sandbox to test new code.
  • Before rolling out new features, the team tested everything in a sandbox.
isolated environment

Typically refers to any system or setting that is separated from others to ensure security, privacy, and integrity. It is often used in both technology and general contexts.

  • For security reasons, they work in an isolated environment.
  • The laboratory maintained an isolated environment for the experiments.
secure container

A term primarily used in the fields of cybersecurity and data protection, referring to a highly secure, isolated environment designed to protect sensitive data or applications.

  • Sensitive data is stored in a secure container to prevent breaches.
  • The application runs within a secure container to ensure its security.

Examples of usage

  • The software runs in a sandbox to ensure it does not affect other programs.
  • It is important to test new software in a sandbox environment.

Translations

Translations of the word "sandbox" in other languages:

🇵🇹 caixa de areia

🇮🇳 बालू का डिब्बा

🇩🇪 Sandkasten

🇮🇩 kotak pasir

🇺🇦 пісочниця

🇵🇱 piaskownica

🇯🇵 砂場 (すなば)

🇫🇷 bac à sable

🇪🇸 caja de arena

🇹🇷 kum havuzu

🇰🇷 모래 상자

🇸🇦 صندوق الرمل

🇨🇿 pískoviště

🇸🇰 pieskovisko

🇨🇳 沙盒 (shāhé)

🇸🇮 peskovnik

🇮🇸 sandkassi

🇰🇿 құмсалғыш

🇬🇪 ქვიშის ყუთი

🇦🇿 qum qutusu

🇲🇽 caja de arena

Etymology

The term 'sandbox' originated from the idea of a physical sandbox where children play. In computing, the concept was adapted to create a safe and isolated environment for testing and running programs. The metaphorical use of 'sandbox' to refer to a controlled environment dates back to the early days of computing in the 1970s and has since become a common term in cybersecurity and software development.

See also: sand, sandal, sandpaper, sandpiper, sandpit, sandwich, sandy.