letterbox

American  

[let-er-boks] / ˈlɛt ərˌbɒks /

noun

1. Chiefly British. Also letter box a public or private mailbox.

2. Digital Technology, Television. a technique for displaying a wide-screen film or landscape video on a narrower screen by reducing its size but retaining the aspect ratio, with black bands filling the screen above and below the picture (often used attributively).

   letterbox videos.

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verb (used with object)

1. Digital Technology, Television. to display (a film or video) by using the letterbox technique.

Etymology

Origin of letterbox

First recorded in 1765–75; letter ¹ ( def. ) + box ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Instead of posting the letter and Bible through the letterbox, the court heard the men instead left an unsigned note saying they would "be back".

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026

Both take cash - the honesty box has envelopes and a letterbox for change.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2025

A 24-year-old car cloning victim has told how he ended up dreading the morning post after fines demanding thousands of pounds started to pour through his letterbox.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2025

Many adoptive parents agree the current "letterbox" system of contact is not effective.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2024

Pathos is the appeal you see uppermost in the heart-wrenching, expensively printed flyers that pop through your letterbox asking for donations to charity.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith