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• zip code
  zip code

  noun

  a system used in the U.S. to facilitate the delivery of mail, consisting of a five- or nine-digit code printed directly after the address, the first five digits initial code indicating the state and post office or postal zone, the last four expanded code the box section or number, portion of a rural route, building, or other specific delivery location.
• zip-code
  zip-code

  verb (used with object)

  to provide or mark with a zip code.

zip code

¹ American  

Or ZIP code,

noun

1. a system used in the U.S. to facilitate the delivery of mail, consisting of a five- or nine-digit code printed directly after the address, the first five digits initial code indicating the state and post office or postal zone, the last four expanded code the box section or number, portion of a rural route, building, or other specific delivery location.

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zip-code ² American  

[zip-kohd] / ˈzɪpˌkoʊd /

Or ZIP-code,

verb (used with object)

zip-coded, zip-coding

1. to provide or mark with a zip code.

   Zip-code all mail.

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zip code British  

noun

1. the US equivalent of postcode

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Etymology

Origin of zip code

An Americanism first recorded in 1960–65, Z(one) I(mprovement) P(rogram)

Example Sentences

In May, a person used a postal key to enter an apartment building in Columbia City, suggesting he had obtained keys for the 98118 Zip code.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 5, 2023

In one incident at a mobile home park in the 98178 Zip code, surveillance footage showed two people opening a cluster mailbox and putting all the mail into a trash bag.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 5, 2023

Here’s another one, from October 2021 in the 98115 Zip code, which includes Bryant and Maple Leaf.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 13, 2023

Text alerts aren’t available everywhere in the United States, but you can try to add yourself to the list by texting your Zip code to 888777.

From Washington Post • Jan. 6, 2023

Type in the name of a city, a Zip code or a geographic feature and hit enter.

From Big Dummy's Guide to the Internet by Electronic Frontier Foundation