mailbox

American  

[meyl-boks] / ˈmeɪlˌbɒks /

noun

mailboxes plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mailboxes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mailbox

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

Example Sentences

The Oxbridge e-learning website, based at the Mailbox in Birmingham, offered more than 250 courses with specialist tutors and learning advisors.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2025

Once The Tea Factory is built, all teams at currently at The Mailbox will relocate, including Midlands Today, online teams, Radio WM, Radio 1's Newsbeat and Asian Network.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2024

Watering Can Mailbox IT’S TRUE: A dead plant is useful — the decaying material becomes compost for new growth.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2023

This is the lake hike to do off the Middle Fork, and while the trailhead is not far past Mailbox Peak, it will feel like a completely different world.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 16, 2023

My entire body was shivering by the time I finally reached the warm confines of the Mailbox, a post office box rental outlet located four blocks from the IOI plaza.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline