poste restante

American  

[pohst re-stahnt, res-tahnt, pawst res-tahnt] / ˌpoʊst rɛˈstɑnt, ˈrɛs tɑnt, pɔst rɛsˈtɑ̃t /

noun

1. a direction written on mail to indicate that it should be held at the post office until called for by the addressee.

2. Chiefly British. a department in charge of such mail.

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poste restante British  

/ ˈpəʊst rɪˈstænt, pɔst rɛstɑ̃t /

noun

1. (not in the US and Canada) an address on mail indicating that it should be kept at a specified post office until collected by the addressee

2. the mail-delivery service or post-office department that handles mail having this address

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Etymology

Origin of poste restante

1760–70; < French: literally, standing post

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

poste restante

Leisurely two-sided correspondences were difficult to sustain, with Chatwin roving from one poste restante to the next.

From New York Times ● Feb. 25, 2011

I turned the letter over when I had read it, and saw that it was addressed to "M. Henri Smith, N——-, poste restante."

From The Confession of a Child of the Century by Warren, Kendall

After breakfast we went to the post office for our "poste restante" letters, and after replying to them resumed our march.

From From John O'Groats to Land's End by Naylor, Robert

The packet was there amongst the letters marked poste restante; but when he had opened it with precipitation, a cloud of disappointment covered his face, and he heaved a heavy sigh.

From Major Frank by Akeroyd, James

Very obligingly, she offered to fetch my letters from the poste restante, and look out for photographs.

From The Roof of France by Betham-Edwards, Matilda