Email outbox definition

The outbox is a folder or section in an email client or web-based email service that stores emails that have been sent but not yet delivered to the recipient's inbox. The outbox typically contains emails that are waiting to be sent or are in the process of being sent.

Here are some key characteristics of an outbox:

  1. Sent but not delivered: Emails in the outbox have been sent by the sender, but they have not yet been received by the recipient's email server.
  2. Temporary storage: The outbox is a temporary storage location for emails that are waiting to be delivered. Once the email is delivered to the recipient's inbox, it is typically moved to the "sent" folder or deleted.
  3. Not yet received: The recipient has not yet received the email, and it may not be visible in their inbox until it is delivered.
  4. May be retried: If an email fails to send, it may be retried by the email client or service, and it will remain in the outbox until it is successfully delivered or an error occurs.

The outbox is an important feature in email clients and services, as it allows users to keep track of emails that have been sent but not yet delivered. This can be useful for tracking the status of important emails, such as invoices or notifications, and for troubleshooting issues with email delivery.