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

You can reach Steve Jones by email at [email protected].

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Meat Export Federation said in an email statement to Barron’s.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

“We were deeply concerned by the reported mistreatment of some cows captured on video at Agresti Calf Ranch during a separate cow operation,” the company said in an email.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

“In recent weeks, there is a very slight uptick in availability… but the compute scramble is still ongoing,” Pies told MarketWatch via email.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

We get my email set up, and Eddie’s showing me how to send an email, and how to check for new emails, when Babs comes back to our table.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy