Definition of Terms

Term	Explanation	Applies To	Further Reading
Recipient	A recipient is anything which can receive email. In Microsoft 365, this can be a user mailbox, a distribution group, a resource mailbox, or a forwarding contact.	Outlook	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/recipients-in-exchange-online/recipients-in-exchange-online
Primary Address	The primary address is the main email address associated with a recipient. Each recipient must have a primary address.	Outlook
Secondary Address	Sometimes referred to as an alias, a secondary address is an additional (optional) email address associated with a recipient. A recipient may have multiple secondary addresses. If the recipient is a mailbox, the primary address and all secondary addresses will deliver to the same mailbox.	Outlook
Distribution Group	A distribution group (occasionally referred to as a distribution list) is a group containing one or more members. Members of the group receive emails sent to the email addresses associated with the group. Managers of the group can make changes to the group, but may not be themselves members of the group.	Outlook
Distribution Group Manager	A distribution group manager can make changes to a distribution group. Managers do not have to be a member of a group to manage it.	Outlook
Distribution Group Member	A distribution group member receives a copy of any emails sent to the distribution group of which they are a member.	Outlook
Mailbox
User
Resource Mailbox
Shared Mailbox
Room Mailbox
Equipment Mailbox
Forwarding Contact
Forwarding
Inbox Rule
License

Microsoft 365 @ UT

Account/Email Concepts

Definition of Terms