mailbox

[ meyl-boks ]

noun

1. a public box in which mail is placed for pickup and delivery by the post office.
2. a private box, as at a home, into which mail is delivered by the mail carrier.
3. Computers. a file for storing electronic mail.

mailbox

/ ˈmeɪlˌbɒks /

noun

1. 1. a slot, usually covered with a hinged flap, through which letters, etc are delivered to a building
   2. a private box into which letters, etc, are delivered Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)letter box
2. a public box into which letters, etc, are put for collection and delivery Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)postbox
3. (on a computer) the directory in which e-mail messages are stored; also used of the icon that can be clicked to provide access to e-mails

Word History and Origins

Origin of mailbox¹

First recorded in 1800–10; mail ¹ + box ¹

Example Sentences

It’s the first thing I reach for when I get home from climbing or skiing—it’s even warm enough for a quick dash to the mailbox or to a local restaurant to pick up dinner.

From Outside Online

One Friday night, Gail was trying to get some clarity on all the bills, which kept arriving in her mailbox.

From ProPublica

Appraisers and investigators found the Kealohas had lied about the type of mailbox they owned and falsely claimed one of higher value in an apparent effort to crack the $300 threshold for felony theft charges.

From Washington Post

Two years ago he found a notice in his mailbox about improvements to the buildings.

From MIT Technology Review

Now any payment sent to that mailbox will be returned to the sender.

From Washington Post

How do you deal with the flurry of invitations and requests that fills your mailbox—especially when you are notoriously reclusive?

From The Daily Beast

Mailbox enables me to keep up with the constant barrage of email, making sure that nothing goes unseen.

From The Daily Beast

And when I opened up her mailbox—before me stood hundreds of fraudulent charges.

From The Daily Beast

Ferracci has said his name is on the mailbox only because his children, who live with their mother, share his name.

From The Daily Beast

This is the key to the mailbox which is located in the main post office in the city on Ervay Street.

From The Daily Beast

A man went down from his house to the road where his mailbox was nailed to a redwood post.

From Project Gutenberg

As Penny reached for the door knob, her glance fell upon a long, narrow envelope which protruded from the tin mailbox.

From Project Gutenberg

He did turn, the next time a lightning flash showed him a turn-off beside a rural free delivery mailbox.

From Project Gutenberg

Drop a letter in the mailbox, and the next morning it would be turned over to Commissioner Arliss' office.

From Project Gutenberg

He dropped a cardboard cylinder into Mr. Clifford Brown's mailbox and began to sort out my letters.

From Project Gutenberg