inbox

noun

in·​box ˈin-ˌbäks How to pronounce inbox (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The tell is gone from the feed, the inbox, the family group chat, and the boardroom. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 One day the backing instruments and vocals literally just appeared with no notice in Kahan’s inbox. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026 Sign up here to receive the Peak newsletter directly in your inbox. — Elise Devlin, New York Times, 24 July 2026 An overwhelming work week spent mostly in the company of your inbox? — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inbox

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inbox was in 1958

Browse Nearby Words

inbounds pass
inbox
inbreak
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Cite this Entry

“Inbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inbox. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

in-box

noun
ˈin-ˌbäks How to pronounce in-box (audio)
: a receptacle for incoming letters between offices in an organization
also : a computer folder for incoming email

More from Merriam-Webster on inbox

Nglish: Translation of inbox for Spanish Speakers

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