postmaster general

American  

noun

postmasters general plural

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

---

postmaster general British  

noun

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

---

postmaster general Cultural  

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.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• postmasters general
  plural

Etymology

Origin of postmaster general

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

postmaster general

Both the postmaster general and Congress choose to ignore the elephant in the room—the American Postal Workers Union.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 17, 2026

U.S. in 1838, which limited presidential control of the postmaster general, and Myers v.

From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2025

Louis DeJoy, postmaster general, said the Postal Service goal is to make peak holiday season delivery “superior and routine.”

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 20, 2023

Louis DeJoy, the postmaster general of the United States, said the main post office facility in Atlanta would be named after Lewis in an August ceremony.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 22, 2023

Stayner reported to the postmaster general that Howard was a man of excellent character, and one of the best officers in the service.

From The History of the Post Office in British North America by Smith, William, Sir