S-box

/ˈɛsˌbɒks/

noun

A basic component of symmetric-key algorithms, which performs substitution, transforming one set of bits into another.

“In block ciphers, S-boxes are typically used to obscure the relationship between the key and the ciphertext.”

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Meanings

nounS-box (plural S-boxes)

plural S-boxes

  1. computingA basic component of symmetric-key algorithms, which performs substitution, transforming one set of bits into another.

    In block ciphers, S-boxes are typically used to obscure the relationship between the key and the ciphertext.

Origin

Short for substitution box.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

S-box. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/S-box

MLA

“S-box.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/S-box. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “S-box,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/S-box.

Source: S-box on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.