mailbox
word
/ˈmeɪɫˌbɑks/
MAYL-bahks
/mˈeɪlbɒks/
MAYL-boks
Definition
A container, often outside a home or building, where mail is received and collected. It can also mean an electronic inbox for emails.
Usage & Nuances
Used for both physical and electronic contexts: 'check the mailbox' (physical/mail), 'your email mailbox is full' (electronic). Most common in US English; 'postbox' or 'letterbox' is common in the UK. Not typically used for outgoing mail in American English—'mailbox' often means incoming mail only.
Spanish: buzón de correoPortuguese (BR): caixa de correioPortuguese (PT): caixa do correioChinese (Simplified): 邮箱Chinese (Traditional): 信箱Hindi: डाक पेटीArabic: صندوق البريدBengali: মেইলবক্স - চিঠির বাক্সRussian: почтовый ящик - электронный ящикJapanese: 郵便受け - メールボックスVietnamese: hộp thư - hộp thư điện tửKorean: 우편함 - 메일함Turkish: posta kutusu - e-posta kutusuUrdu: میل باکس - ڈاک کا ڈبہIndonesian: kotak surat - kotak masuk (email)
Example Sentences
You have five new messages in your email mailbox.
natural
The rain ruined all the letters in my old mailbox.
natural
I checked the mailbox and found a letter.
basic
The mailbox is next to the front door.
basic
My mailbox was full, so I emptied it.
basic
Did you see the package in the mailbox this morning?
natural