Definition

1. Noun:
   • A private box for delivery of mail: A receptacle, typically mounted at a residence or business, where incoming mail is delivered by a postal service.
   • A public box for deposit of mail: A large, public receptacle where outgoing mail is deposited for collection by a postal service. (Commonly called a "mailbox" or "post box" in American English).
   • A numbered compartment in a post office where mail is put to be called for: A small, individually locked compartment within a post office where a person receives and collects their mail. (Commonly called a "post office box" or "P.O. box").

Usage Examples

• Noun (Private Box):
  • The postman put the parcel through the slot in the letter box.
  • Please remember to check the letter box for any mail.
• Noun (Public Box):
  • I need to post this card; is there a red letter box on this street?
  • The last collection from the letter box is at 5 PM.
• Noun (Post Office Compartment):
  • For business, we rent a letter box at the main post office.
  • Your magazine subscription will be sent to your letter box number.

Advanced Usage

• The term letter box is more common in British English. In American English, the three distinct meanings are typically conveyed by different terms: "mailbox" (private), "mailbox" or "collection box" (public), and "post office box" or "P.O. box" (post office compartment).
• In film and video, "letterboxing" refers to the practice of displaying wide-screen film on a standard television screen with black bars at the top and bottom, which visually resembles the shape of a horizontal letter box slot.

Variants and Related Words

• Mailbox (n): The common American English term for a private or public mail receptacle.
• Postbox (n): A common British English term for a public mail deposit box.
• P.O. Box (n): The standard abbreviation for a rented post office compartment.
• Post office box (n): The full term for a rented compartment in a post office.
• Letterbox (v, adj): The act or format of displaying a film in a wide-screen aspect ratio on a standard screen.

Synonyms

• Private/Public Box: Mail drop, mail slot, collection box.
• Post Office Compartment: Lockbox, postal box.

Related Phrases

• Letter-box format: Refers to the wide-screen film format preserved with black bars on a standard screen.
  • The DVD offers the film in its original letter-box format.

Noun

1. a private box for delivery of mail
2. public box for deposit of mail
3. a numbered compartment in a post office where mail is put to be called for