mailbox

American  

[meyl-boks] / ˈmeɪlˌbɒks /

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.

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mailbox British  

/ ˈmeɪlˌbɒks /

noun

1. 1. a slot, usually covered with a hinged flap, through which letters, etc are delivered to a building

   2. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): letter box.  a private box into which letters, etc, are delivered

2. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): postbox.  a public box into which letters, etc, are put for collection and delivery

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

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Etymology

Origin of mailbox

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

Example Sentences

“We don’t want anyone to just toss it into the mailbox as we have been able to do in the past and have it counted,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

It looks like four skyscrapers and a mailbox.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

A fair share of nasty feedback lands in my mailbox, so I wondered if the auto-response tool could come in handy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

I watched as he scrutinized a photo of law enforcement unloading the letters from Guthrie’s mailbox, paying special attention to the fact that she wasn’t wearing gloves.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

That became obvious one day that fall, when Marx pulled a postcard from her mailbox.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin