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

Make sure to see the envelope handstamped with the postmark instead of tossing the letter in the mailbox, O’Saben added.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 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

Once he had made the decision to rebuild, Cervantes installed a temporary mailbox on the vacant lot.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

At some point, I realized that I was leading us to the mailbox, where I had deposited each of Fred’s postcards throughout the summer.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen