postmaster general

noun

plural

postmasters general 

1. the executive head of the postal system of a country.

postmaster general

noun

1. the executive head of the postal service in certain countries

postmaster general

1. The head of the United States Postal Service. Until 1970, the postmaster general was head of the federal Post Office Department and a member of the president's cabinet. In 1970, the Postal Service was set up as an independent agency in place of the Post Office Department. The Postal Service is operated like a private corporation, although postal workers receive the benefits of federal employees.

Word History and Origins

Origin of postmaster general¹

First recorded in 1620–30