pillar box

noun

British.

1. a pillarlike box in which letters are deposited for collection by mail carriers; mailbox.

pillar box

noun

1. (in Britain) a red pillar-shaped public letter box situated on a pavement

adjective

1. characteristic of a pillar box (in the phrase pillar-box red )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillar box¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Items as large as a shoebox can be posted in the pillar boxes, in what Royal Mail says is the "biggest redesign in its 175-year history".

From BBC

In an interview with historian Brian Harrison in the 1970s, Jessie recalled the so-called "pillar box outrages" were planned "with military precision."

From BBC

Others are dismissing the act as vandalism "that brings the value of the area down" and are worried Royal Mail will close pillar boxes or remove them altogether, he said.

From BBC

The iconic bright red pillar boxes bearing Elizabeth’s royal cipher will probably remain for decades to come, with new post boxes bearing Charles’s cipher being rolled out alongside.

From Washington Post

The new cypher for Britain's King Charles - the sovereign's monogram that will appear on government buildings and red mail pillar boxes - has been revealed by Buckingham Palace.

From Reuters