postmaster general

American  

noun

postmasters general plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• postmasters general
  plural

Etymology

Origin of postmaster general

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

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

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

The postmaster general concurred, and Howe was duly instructed.

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