postmark

[pohst-mahrk]

noun

1. an official mark stamped on letters and other mail, serving as a cancellation of the postage stamp and indicating the place, date, and sometimes time of sending or receipt.

verb (used with object)

1. to stamp with a postmark.

postmark

/ ˈpəʊstˌmɑːk /

noun

1. any mark stamped on mail by postal officials, such as a simple obliteration, date mark, or indication of route See also cancellation

verb

1. (tr) to put such a mark on mail

Other Word Forms

• unpostmarked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of postmark¹

First recorded in 1670–80; post ³ + mark ¹

Example Sentences

Ballots that aren’t postmarked on or before election day are not counted.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before election day and received by Nov. 12.

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It must be postmarked on or before election day, Nov. 4, and received by Nov. 12 to be counted.

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California currently accepts ballots if they are postmarked by election day and received within a certain number of days after.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Royal Mail has, however, announced plans to mark England's win with a special postmark, which will be applied to stamped mail across the UK from Monday to Friday.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• forward 
• send