hotbox

/ˈhɑtˌbɑks/
noun
  1. An overheated bearing on a railroad car or other machinery, often causing a fire risk.
    • A hotbox can cause a derailment if not caught in time.
    • The train had to stop because of a hotbox on one of the wheels.
    • Railroad workers check for hotboxes before every long trip.
  2. A small, enclosed space that becomes very hot, such as a poorly ventilated room or vehicle.
    • The attic was a hotbox in the summer, with no air conditioning.
    • They called the tiny office a hotbox because it had no windows.
    • The car turned into a hotbox after sitting in the sun all day.
verb
  1. To overheat, especially a bearing or mechanical part, causing it to smoke or seize.
    • If you don't grease the wheel, it will hotbox and fail.
    • The axle hotboxed after hours of heavy use.
    • The mechanic warned that the engine could hotbox if the coolant ran low.
What does "hotbox" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean