pillar box

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Word: Pillar Box

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A pillar box is a tall, red, cylindrical box where people can drop off letters and mail. It is often found on streets in many countries, especially in the UK.

Usage Instructions:

• Where to Use: You can use "pillar box" when talking about mail delivery or when discussing how letters are sent. It is especially relevant in conversations about postal services or when describing a scene in a city.
• When to Use: Use this word when you want to specify the type of letter box that is tall and red, as opposed to other types of mailboxes.

Example Sentence:

"I walked to the pillar box at the corner of the street to send my birthday card."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, you might refer to pillar boxes when discussing postal history or urban design. For example: "The introduction of pillar boxes revolutionized the way people sent mail in the Victorian era."

Word Variants:

• Pillar: The base word that refers to a tall structure used for support.
• Box: A container, in this case, specifically for letters.

Different Meanings:

While "pillar box" specifically refers to the mailbox, the individual words "pillar" and "box" can have other meanings: - Pillar: Can mean a support structure or a person who provides support. - Box: Can refer to any container, not just those for letters.

Synonyms:

• Mailbox (general term)
• Postbox (another common term in British English)
• Letterbox (though this can also refer to a slot for letters in a door)

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Mail it in": To submit something (like a letter or assignment) without putting much effort into it, similar to how you might drop a letter in a pillar box without much thought.
• "In the mail": Referring to something that has been sent via postal service, indicating it is on its way.

Summary:

A "pillar box" is a specific type of mailbox that is tall, cylindrical, and usually red, primarily used for sending letters.

Academic

Noun

1. a red pillar-shaped letter box