lockbox

Everyday

1. A small box with a lock for keeping money, papers or valuables safe. tree →
2. A small locked box, often on a door or wall, that holds a key so that visitors or workers can get in with a code. tree →
3. (US, business) A special bank service where payments are sent to a secure address. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life a lockbox may hold house keys for a holiday rental, a cleaner or a carer; you open it with a number code. Families may keep important papers or a little money in a lockbox at home. Phrases: key lockbox, put it in the lockbox, the code for the lockbox.

Examples

• The holiday house key was in a lockbox by the door. tree →
• Mum gave us the code for the lockbox. tree →
• Grandpa keeps his medals in a lockbox. tree →
• Don't tell anyone the lockbox code. tree →
• The money from the cake sale went into a lockbox. tree →
• The nurse used the lockbox to let herself in. tree →
• My lockbox has a little brass key. tree →
• The lockbox was bolted to the wall. tree →

Note

Countable: lockboxes (add -es). Often written as one word, sometimes as «lock box». Similar: safe (bigger and stronger), cash box, key safe (UK).