Definition

Noun: A designated place, typically in a public building or facility, where items that have been misplaced or left behind by their owners are collected and stored. The purpose is to hold these items securely so that individuals who have lost something can return to claim it.

Usage

The term is used to refer to the physical location or office responsible for this function. It is a compound noun that functions as a singular entity.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The term can function attributively (like an adjective) to describe the office, desk, or box where items are kept.
  • Please take the found keys to the lost-and-found bin.
• In some contexts, especially informal or organizational, it may be referred to simply as "Lost Property" (common in British English) or "Lost Items."

Variants and Related Words

• Lost property (noun, chiefly British): A direct synonym for , referring to the office or the items themselves.
• Found items (noun phrase): A general term for objects that have been found and are awaiting return to their owner.

Synonyms

• Lost property office
• Lost items department
• Claim office (for lost items)

Related Phrases

• To turn in to lost-and-found: The action of delivering a found item to the designated place.
  • A kind stranger turned my phone in to the lost-and-found.
• To check the lost-and-found: The action of visiting or contacting the office to see if a lost item has been recovered.
  • If you lost your glasses, you should check the lost-and-found.

Noun

1. repository in a public building where lost articles can be kept until their owners reclaim them