A simple model of an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate in a box whose size varies with time is studied to determine the nature of adiabaticity in the nonlinear dynamics obtained within the Gross-Pitaevskii equation (the nonlinear Schr{o}dinger equation). Analytical and numerical methods are used to determine the nature of adiabaticity in this nonlinear quantum system. Criteria for validity of an adiabatic approximation are formulated.