postal
Americanadjective
noun
idioms
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said food warehouses, a postal building and a school were among the other facilities that were hit.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
“Every single day, our postal employees serve their communities across dynamic, fast-changing environments,” said Leeann Theriault, employee safety and health awareness manager in the release.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
California was the top state for dog attacks on postal workers last year, recording 673 incidents overall.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
The latest quality-of-service report reflects the postal firm's performance under its new private owner, Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group, whose takeover was approved by shareholders at the end of April last year.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
He signed the postal delivery receipt and rushed back to his room, locking his door.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
