Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun a wood or metal receptacle placed on a desk to hold incoming material requiring attention, especially documents.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A container in which all the papers to be dealt with are put.
  • noun computing an electronic folder serving the same purpose.
  • noun figuratively The aggregate of items that demand one's attention or effort.
  • verb To put in (someone's) in-box.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

in + box

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Examples

Comments

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  • From wood or metal to cardboard or plastic, and thence to a mirage of electrons dancing on a pinhead of silicone somewhere. My how the thing in-box refers to has changed.

    April 17, 2011