mailbag

plural mailbags · alternative mail bag

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. broadlyfigurativelyThe 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.