parcel post

noun

1. (in the U.S. Postal Service) nonpreferential mail consisting of packages and parcels, weighing one pound or more sent at fourth-class rates.

2. the branch of a postal service that processes and delivers parcels.

3. the service this branch renders.

Word History and Origins

Origin of parcel post¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Postal Department established parcel post and more than a decade before the Railway Express Agency.

From Seattle Times

Forget the internet and delivery drivers, Pryce Jones used the superhighway of the day - the railway and parcel post.

From BBC

The company had already made moves to enter the parcel market, launching parcel post boxes last year.

From BBC

The surge in parcel post meant revenues beat expectations for the period.

From BBC

Hall and United States Marshal Clark, the grower had it prepared for the parcel post service.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consignment 
• distribution 
• shipment 
• transmission