postal

American  

[pohs-tl] / ˈpoʊs tl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the post office or mail service.

   postal delivery; postal employees.

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noun

1. Informal. postal card.

idioms

1. go postal, to lose control or go crazy, especially in a violent way.

postal British  

/ ˈpəʊstəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a Post Office or to the mail-delivery service

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Other Word Forms

• postally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of postal

First recorded in 1835–45; post ³ def. + -al ¹; 1990–95 postal for def. 3, in reference to incidents of violence among postal workers in the early 1990s

Explanation

The term postal refers to an official, government-run mail service that delivers letters and packages right to your door or mailbox. Postal workers sort mail at post offices, sell postage stamps, collect packages to be delivered, and deliver the mail. When you're sending a package or letter to someone, you should include the correct postal code — also known as a ZIP code in the U.S. — in the address to help make sure it gets to the right place. The postal system connects people across towns, cities, and even countries by working to get letters and parcels to their intended destinations.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

postal

The video has since prompted outrage from neighbors and an investigation by postal officials and animal welfare authorities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

The so-called “wizard of finance” had promised clients a 50% return on their money in 45 days in an investment strategy involving international postal reply coupons.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

The packages had UPS labels, but were found sitting in the back of a U.S. postal truck, Sternin testified.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

Meanwhile, Russia has been recently targeting warehouses of Ukraine's Nova Poshta postal company and major online retailers like Rozetka.

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026

Mrs. Grayson swung it open to find Mr. Stinson, the postal delivery man, standing there, water dripping from the wide-brimmed hat and dark-gray rain slicker he wore.

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper