email

American  

[ee-meyl] / ˈiˌmeɪl /

Or e-mail

noun

1. a system for sending messages to one or more recipients via telecommunications links between computers using dedicated software or a web-based service.

   Communication by email is almost instantaneous.

2. a message sent by email.

   Send me an email about that idea, and I'll get back to you.

3. an address at which a person can receive email messages.

   He’s got my phone number and email in case he needs to contact me.

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verb (used with object)

1. to send (a message or file) to (a person or organization) by email: I emailed the company but haven’t heard back yet.

   He emailed his response to the invitation.

   I emailed the company but haven’t heard back yet.

verb (used without object)

1. to send an email; communicate by email or exchange emails: We emailed back and forth for three weeks before actually meeting.

   She emailed to say she’ll be on vacation next week.

   We emailed back and forth for three weeks before actually meeting.

Etymology

Origin of email

First recorded in 1975–80; e(lectronic) + mail ¹

Explanation

Email is an electronic message that's sent from one computer to another. When you receive good news in an email, you can forward the message to your friends and family. Most email these days uses the Internet for connecting the sender and recipient. Unlike some other kinds of messaging, when you send an email to a friend, she doesn't have to be online at the same time to get your message. The next time she checks her email account, your email will be waiting for her. Email, sometimes spelled e-mail, is short for electronic mail, and was coined in the early 1980s.

Example Sentences

"They know how reactive we can be, so literally I can get a phone call, email, WhatsApp message in the morning, and we can be there within hours."

From BBC • May 27, 2026

This email was written by Aaron Back, Editor of Heard on the Street, The Wall Street Journal’s home for financial analysis and commentary.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Capybara removals tend to be ineffective, Ibama, the environmental agency, wrote to me in an email, “since environmentally favorable areas are usually quickly reoccupied.”

From Slate • May 27, 2026

Pochettino said he didn’t settle on a roster until the day before players got the WhatsApp videos — or the simple email.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

And with all the commotion, I’d completely forgotten to check my email and update Thomas.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas