pillar box

American  

noun

British.

1. a pillarlike box in which letters are deposited for collection by mail carriers; mailbox.

---

pillar box British  

noun

1. (in Britain) a red pillar-shaped public letter box situated on a pavement

---

adjective

1. characteristic of a pillar box (in the phrase pillar-box red )

Etymology

Origin of pillar box

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pillar box

In an interview with historian Brian Harrison in the 1970s, Jessie recalled the so-called "pillar box outrages" were planned "with military precision."

From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2025

In the film, we see Edelsytn dropping the letters into a pillar box.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 15, 2020

Meanwhile in Leeds, suburban warfare still smoulders over the golden pillar box in honour of the triathlon winner Alistair Brownlee.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 14, 2012

Did you know that he invented the red pillar box?

From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2012

I posted it in Her Majesty’s pillar box hard by; went to bed, but was too excited to sleep. 

From Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland by Joseph Tatlow