inbox

American

[in-boks] / ˈɪnˌbɒks /

Or in-box

noun

a boxlike tray, basket, or the like, as on a desk, for holding incoming mail, messages, or work.
Computers. a folder for receiving and storing incoming emails or text messages.

inbox British

/ ˈɪnˌbɒks /

noun

(on a computer) a folder in a mailbox in which incoming messages are stored and displayed
a US and Canadian name for in-tray

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of inbox

First recorded in 1955–60; in ( def. ) + box ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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In the meantime, would-be participants from all over America are filling up the inbox of the UMD team.

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He tried to answer every question that entered his inbox, from individual investors at home, financial journalists on deadline or investing firms.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023