postcode

American  

[pohst-kohd] / ˈpoʊstˌkoʊd /

noun

British.

1. an official code used by the post office, similar to the U.S. zip code, that adds numbers and letters to addresses to expedite mail delivery.

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postcode British  

/ ˈpəʊstˌkəʊd /

noun

1. Also called: postal code.  US equivalent: zip code.  a code of letters and digits used as part of a postal address to aid the sorting of mail

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Etymology

Origin of postcode

First recorded in 1965–70; post ³ + code

Example Sentences

Aylesbury MP Laura Kyrke-Smith, whose close friend took her own life after having a baby, called access a "postcode lottery" with some areas "complete deserts".

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

The party has also called for an end to a "postcode lottery" in childcare caused by some councils applying entitlement from the start of a school term rather than from a child's third birthday.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

The temperature is recorded by the weather station nearest to your postcode.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

The Southern Trust is the only trust in Northern Ireland without an inpatient addiction rehabilitation facility, which campaigners have said has created a "postcode lottery".

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

On Yahoo’s front page there are news stories, tailored to your postcode or whatever—God only knows how they know my postcode, but they do.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins