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

I let Zara go ahead of me carrying the platter of her mom’s famous shish tawook and pita, with a box of gluten-free crackers she sent special for me, while I stop at the mailbox.

From Literature

Tuesday — less than two months before ballots begin arriving in voters’ mailboxes.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, Bores’s dad regularly receives negative fliers about him in his mailbox.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mark DiCamillo, director of the poll, said he was stunned by how fractured voters are and how little knowledge they have about the candidates less than 60 days before ballots start arriving in Californians’ mailboxes.

From Los Angeles Times

I go in the middle of the night so they don’t see me dropping the letters in their mailbox.”

From Literature