airmail

American  

[air-meyl] / ˈɛərˌmeɪl /

Or air-mail

noun

1. the system, especially a government postal system, of sending mail by airplane.

2. a letter, package, etc., sent by this system.

3. a stamp authorizing delivery of mail by this system.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to airmail.

adverb

1. by airmail.

   Send all overseas letters airmail.

verb (used with object)

1. to send via airmail.

   I airmailed the package yesterday.

airmail British  

/ ˈɛəˌmeɪl /

noun

1. the system of conveying mail by aircraft

2. mail conveyed by aircraft

---

adjective

1. of, used for, or concerned with airmail

verb

1. (tr) to send by airmail

Etymology

Origin of airmail

First recorded in 1910–15; air ¹ + mail ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

William Boeing’s namesake company was building seaplanes on South Lake Union in Seattle and found a partner to launch airmail and passenger travel, which eventually broke off as United Airlines.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 30, 2022

He had covered the tissue-thin airmail stationary corner to corner with his typing, leaving only a little room for the address.

From Salon • Nov. 23, 2022

The portrait was later chosen by the Queen as the image for the Royal Mail airmail stamp.

From BBC • Sep. 15, 2022

Like the Magenta, the airmail plate-number block is unique, an error created when the 24-cent stamps were printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing with the illustration of a Curtiss Jenny aircraft upside down.

From Washington Times • Jun. 5, 2021

I had noticed a few blue airmail letters stuck between her books.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee