postman

¹

[pohst-muhn]

noun

plural

postmen 

1. a postal employee who carries and delivers mail; mail carrier.

2. Archaic.,  a courier.

postman

²

[pohst-muhn]

noun

Old English Law.

plural

postmen 

1. a barrister in the Court of Exchequer who had precedence in motions.

postman

/ ˈpəʊstmən /

noun

1. a person who carries and delivers mail as a profession

Gender Note

See -man.

Word History and Origins

Origin of postman¹

First recorded in 1520–30; post ³ + -man

Origin of postman²

First recorded in 1760–70; post ¹ + -man

Example Sentences

Findlay was working an investigative journalist for the Sun newspaper when William Burns knocked on his door disguised as a postman and threw corrosive liquid at his face.

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The virus then acts like a microscopic postman – delivering the new piece of DNA inside brain cells, where it becomes active.

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Former postman Jonathan Roberts told the jury he heard the explosion as he drove past Mr Davies' house.

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Andrew Wrench has been described as "a postman with a penchant for fast cars".

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Earlier that day, Methven, who worked as a postman, had complained to his girlfriend that her waitress shifts made him "lonely".

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Related Words

• letter carrier 
• mailman