mailbag

Noun

mailbag (plural mailbags)

1. A strong canvas bag used for the transportation of mail.
   • The communicating doors of adjoining vehicles are opened simultaneously by pressing a large push-button located a suitable height for a man loaded with mailbags to contact it with his shoulder; after a time-lag of seven seconds the doors close automatically.1959 December, “New TPOs for the Western Region”, in Trains Illustrated, page 581

   Synonyms:

   mailsack

2. A smaller bag, slung from the shoulder, used by a mail carrier during the delivery of mail.

   Synonyms:

   postbag

3. (broadly, figuratively) The correspondence received by a publishing entity such as a magazine or website.
   • In our mailbag this month, we've got no less than 12 letters from those of you who think that Jones should not have been benched.