postmaster general

American  

noun

plural

postmasters general

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

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postmaster general British  

noun

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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of postmaster general

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

This month, the Postal Service’s Board of Governors announced its selection of David Steiner to be the next postmaster general.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 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

Former postmaster general Megan Brennan, who was in office when the mail agency began developing the mobile voting system, did not respond to a request for comment.

From Washington Post • Dec. 13, 2021

The conveyance of the letter bags from London to Liverpool by the messengers of the sailing lines was illegal, as the postmaster general had the exclusive right to convey letters within the United Kingdom.

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