Definition

Noun: A narrow opening, typically in a door or a wall, designed for the delivery of postal mail into a building.

Usage

This noun refers to a physical feature of a residence or building. It is used when describing the entry point for letters and small postal items. * Please place the letters through the mail slot. * The new front door includes a brass mail slot. * I heard the envelope fall to the floor after it came through the mail slot.

Advanced Usage

• Architectural Feature: The term is used in contexts discussing building design, home security, or historical features of houses.
  • Many older homes retain their original brass mail slots.

Variants and Related Words

• Letterbox (noun, chiefly British English): A near-equivalent term, though "letterbox" can also refer to a free-standing box. In American English, "mail slot" is the standard term for a slot in a door.
• Mail drop (noun): A more general term that can refer to a mail slot, a mailbox, or a location where mail is left.

Synonyms

• Letter slot
• Door slot (for mail)

Notes

• The term is a compound noun ("mail" + "slot"). It specifically denotes the slot's purpose for mail delivery.
• It is distinct from a mailbox, which is typically a receptacle located outside a building.

Noun

1. a slot (usually in a door) through which mail can be delivered