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.

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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

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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

The 24-cent airmail stamp shows a Curtiss Jenny aircraft, printed upside down at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing because of an error.

From Washington Times • Nov. 10, 2023

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

Are you Irish, were you in Australia in 1965 and did you happen to help a homesick Welshman airmail himself home in a wooden box?

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2021

When I dream that I am wire without flesh, there is a letter on blue airmail paper that floats above the night ocean between here and China.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston