lockbox: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “lockbox” mean?
A small, portable, secure container for valuables, locked with a key or combination.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, portable, secure container for valuables, locked with a key or combination.
In computing and finance, a secure digital storage system or account for holding sensitive data or funds.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'strongbox' is a more traditional synonym for a physical container. 'Lockbox' is perfectly understood but may be perceived as slightly more American. In US English, 'lockbox' is the standard term for both physical containers and certain financial instruments (e.g., real estate escrow).
Connotations
Both varieties share connotations of security, privacy, and valuable contents. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
More frequent in American English, especially in financial and real estate contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “lockbox” in a Sentence
keep [valuables] in a lockboxstore [noun phrase] in a lockboxthe lockbox contains [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lockbox” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The solicitor advised us to lockbox the title deeds.
- We should lockbox those confidential files.
American English
- The realtor will lockbox the key for the showing.
- The company lockboxes all client data for security.
adjective
British English
- We offer a lockbox service for important documents.
- He kept it in a lockbox compartment.
American English
- Set up a lockbox account for the escrow funds.
- The lockbox system is very efficient.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a secure method for holding payments, documents, or keys (e.g., a lockbox service for processing cheques).
Academic
Rare; might appear in law, criminology, or history discussing security or evidence storage.
Everyday
A small box at home for passports, jewellery, or cash.
Technical
In IT, a secure encrypted digital container for cryptographic keys or sensitive data.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lockbox”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lockbox”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lockbox”
- Using 'locker' (a larger, often public storage unit) interchangeably with 'lockbox'. Confusing 'lockbox' with 'padlock' (which is just the locking device).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A 'lockbox' is typically smaller and more portable than a 'safe'. A safe is often a large, heavy, fixed unit, while a lockbox is a container you can carry.
Yes, especially in American English in business/real estate contexts (e.g., 'to lockbox a key' means to put it in a lockbox for secure access).
A service where a bank receives payments (like cheques) directly to a secure post office box, processes them, and deposits the funds directly into the company's account, speeding up collection.
It is a closed compound: one word ('lockbox'). The hyphenated form 'lock-box' is less common and considered outdated.
A small, portable, secure container for valuables, locked with a key or combination.
Lockbox is usually neutral in register.
Lockbox: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒk.bɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɑːk.bɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[something] is in a virtual lockbox”
- “keep [plans/emotions] under lockbox”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LOCK on a BOX. It's a box you lock.
Conceptual Metaphor
SECURITY IS A LOCKED CONTAINER. (e.g., 'Her secrets were kept in a mental lockbox.')
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, a 'lockbox' is most likely used for: