inbox

noun

in·​box ˈin-ˌbäks 

variants or in-box

plural inboxes or in-boxes

1

: a box or tray (as on a desk) for holding incoming interoffice mail

2

: a computer folder devoted to incoming email

One of my favorite rituals soon became scanning our email inbox, looking for your photographs … and reading the letters you sent …

—Amy Virshup

Examples of inbox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An overwhelming work week spent mostly in the company of your inbox? — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 July 2026

Some lines sell the party, others sell the polish, and most passengers are simply happy to escape their inbox for 72 hours or so. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 15 July 2026

To receive Morning Links in your inbox every weekday, sign up for our Breakfast with ARTnews newsletter. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026

For more World Cup coverage sent straight to your inbox every morning, subscribe to the Men in Blazers newsletter. — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

in-box

noun

ˈin-ˌbäks 

: a receptacle for incoming letters between offices in an organization

also : a computer folder for incoming email