inbox

American  

[in-boks] / ˈɪnˌbɒks /

Or in-box

noun

• inboxes
  plural

1. a boxlike tray, basket, or the like, as on a desk, for holding incoming mail, messages, or work.

2. Computers. a folder for receiving and storing incoming emails or text messages.

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inbox British  

/ ˈɪnˌbɒks /

noun

1. (on a computer) a folder in a mailbox in which incoming messages are stored and displayed

2. a US and Canadian name for in-tray

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• inboxes
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of inbox

First recorded in 1955–60; in ( def. ) + box ¹ ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inbox inboxes

But rest assured, we’ll be back in your inbox with more wild happenings on Monday.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

Click here to have the full report sent to your inbox when it goes live.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

"My inbox went ping ping ping ping ping, so God knows what his was like," he added.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

Get insights from Greg Ip on the intersection of economics, markets and politics in your inbox twice a week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

“I want that report in my inbox tonight,” Dad says.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

At 08:28 on Monday 7 July, an email from the judge's chambers popped into the inboxes of the lawyers in the case.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

The admin emails to which Microsoft sent those notifications tend to get slammed with junk from spammers, leading software developers to recommend ignoring those inboxes altogether.

From Slate ● Aug. 18, 2026

Time slot notifications for Drop 2 will hit inboxes between Aug. 6-7.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

We’ll be back in your inboxes on Monday night.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

Emails detailing the proposed new deal—and exit option—hit agents’ inboxes after the Las Vegas event, setting off an internal shock wave, agents said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026

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