dispatch box

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dispatch box" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a container or box used for sending or receiving documents, often in a formal or official context. Example: "The documents were placed in the dispatch box before being sent to the headquarters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why did he stay behind his dispatch box?

Independent

Her famous cry of protest at the dispatch box – "No.

The Guardian - Opinion

He doesn't just speak at the dispatch box; he emotes.

The Guardian

But aviation was definitely the elephant at the dispatch box.

The Guardian - Opinion

I had never spoken from the dispatch box.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the dispatch box, Tony Blair welcomed his young rival with condescending humour.

The Economist

Whether at the dispatch box or G7, he looks and sounds the part.

The Economist

Can we hope for nudity and adult language over his dispatch box?

Independent

Later I heard her use the argument at the dispatch box.

The Guardian

He clearly loved being at the dispatch box, the centre of attention.

The Guardian

It's been very difficult to establish "common ground" across the dispatch box, he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dispatch box" when referring specifically to the designated location in a parliamentary setting where government ministers or shadow ministers address the house.

Common error

Avoid using "dispatch box" in contexts that simply refer to sending or receiving documents generally; reserve it for its specific parliamentary connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dispatch box" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig shows it refers to a specific location in a parliamentary setting. It indicates where government ministers or shadow ministers stand to address the house.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dispatch box" is a common noun phrase referring to a specific location within a parliamentary setting, primarily used in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently used to describe where government ministers address the house. While "dispatch box" specifically denotes this parliamentary location, related phrases include "speaker's table" and "parliamentary rostrum". When writing, it's important to reserve "dispatch box" for parliamentary contexts to avoid confusion with general communication or document handling. The high source quality and frequency of use contribute to its solid expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Speaker's table

Refers to the table where the Speaker of the House sits, related to parliamentary proceedings.

Parliamentary rostrum

Denotes the platform from which speeches are delivered in parliament.

Ministerial bench

Indicates the seating area for government ministers in parliament.

Government desk

Refers to the desk used by government officials during parliamentary sessions.

Front bench

The seating area for senior members of the government or opposition.

Opposition bench

Indicates the seating area for the opposition party in parliament.

Parliamentary desk

A desk within the parliamentary chamber.

Speaker's platform

The raised area where the speaker presides.

Podium

A raised platform or lectern for public speaking.

Lectern

A stand used to support books or notes for a speaker.

FAQs

How is "dispatch box" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "dispatch box" refers to the place in a parliament from which ministers speak. For example: "The minister addressed the parliament from the "dispatch box"."

What does "dispatch box" refer to in the context of parliament?

In parliamentary procedure, the "dispatch box" is the designated place where ministers or shadow ministers stand to address the house, often used for making formal statements or answering questions.

Which is more appropriate, "dispatch box" or "podium" when describing a parliamentary address?

"Dispatch box" is more specific to parliamentary contexts, while "podium" is a general term for a raised platform. In a parliamentary setting, ""dispatch box"" is the more accurate term.

Can "dispatch box" be used to describe any kind of box used for sending documents?

No, "dispatch box" specifically refers to the location in a parliament. For general document sending, use terms like "document box" or "mailbox".