postbox

Everyday

1. (UK, Australia, NZ, Ireland) A public box, often red in the UK, where you put letters to be collected and posted. tree →
2. A private box at your house or a post office where your own mail is delivered (more often «letterbox» or «mailbox»). tree →

In the lessons

Everyday life in Britain and Ireland: red pillar boxes in the UK, green postboxes in Ireland, red in Australia and New Zealand. In the USA and Canada people say «mailbox». In stories, posting a letter to Father Christmas in the postbox. Phrases: «put it in the postbox», «the nearest postbox», «collection times».

Examples

• I put my birthday card to Grandma in the postbox. tree →
• The red postbox is at the end of our street. tree →
• In Ireland, postboxes are painted green. tree →
• The collection time on the postbox says half past five. tree →
• We posted our letter to Santa in the postbox. tree →
• Is there a postbox near the school? tree →

Note

Plural: postboxes. US/Canadian word: «mailbox». British «letterbox» usually means the slot in your front door. Also written «post box» (two words). Do not put anything dangerous in a postbox.