post office box

or post-of·fice box

[ pohst-aw-fis boks, of-is ]

noun

1. a small, locked compartment, usually in a post office, into which the mail of a box renter is put to be called for. : POB, P.O.B.

post office box

noun

1. a private numbered place in a post office, in which letters received are kept until called for

Word History and Origins

Origin of post office box¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

Voting by mail also presents a challenge because many reservation residents do not receive mail service at their home addresses and may use a shared post office box.

From Salon

In a recent case, a woman in Santa Barbara County who was fed up with her mail being stolen from her post office box decided to bait the thieves and mailed herself a package containing an AirTag.

From Los Angeles Times

In a news release, the Sheriff’s Department thanked the post office box owner for taking a proactive approach and for not attempting to confront the suspects by herself.

From Los Angeles Times

Thieves stole items from a woman’s post office box, and this was not the first time the box was hit, she told deputies.

From Los Angeles Times

Both were for post offices, and a Kimberling City, Missouri, reference was for a post office box.

From Seattle Times