mailbox
MAYL-bahks
Mailbox (noun) means a box where mail is delivered or collected. Example: “He found three bills waiting in his mailbox.”
noun
1
A box where mail is delivered or collected.
"He found three bills waiting in his mailbox."
"The postman left a parcel notice in the mailbox."
2
An electronic storage location for received email.
"Her mailbox was full of unread newsletters."
How to use mailbox
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a physical box for post, or the inbox that holds your email.
UK vs US
American English typically says "mailbox" where British English often says "postbox" or "letterbox."
Common pairings
check the mailbox
a full mailbox
email mailbox
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like mailbox.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- mailboxes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He found three bills waiting in his _____.
Etymology
From mail + box.
Synonyms
View more →
post box
post-box
postbox
Frequently asked questions
What does “mailbox” mean?
The word “mailbox” means a box where mail is delivered or collected. In plain terms, either a physical box for post, or the inbox that holds your email.
How do you pronounce “mailbox”?
“Mailbox” is pronounced MAYL-bahks (/ˈmeɪl.bɑks/ in IPA).
How do you use “mailbox” in a sentence?
Here is “mailbox” used in a sentence: “He found three bills waiting in his mailbox.”
What is another word for “mailbox”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mailbox” include post box, post-box and postbox.
What part of speech is “mailbox”?
“Mailbox” is a noun.
Is “mailbox” a common word?
“Mailbox” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “mailbox” have?
“Mailbox” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a box where mail is delivered or collected.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include mailbox:
