special delivery

American  

noun

1. (in the U.S. Postal Service) delivery of mail outside the regularly scheduled hours, by a special messenger, upon the payment of an extra fee.

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special delivery British  

noun

1. the delivery of a piece of mail outside the time of a scheduled delivery

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Other Word Forms

• special-delivery adjective

Etymology

Origin of special delivery

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

A few weeks ago, I got a text from my grandma: “A special delivery is on its way to you.”

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

In the next few days, Mr. Wiggins will receive a special delivery from New York City: the last of the goldfish from underneath the tuberculosis hospital.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2023

No letters will be delivered during strike days, said Royal Mail, but as many special delivery and Tracked24 parcels as possible would be delivered.

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2022

There’s a special delivery room with Native images on the walls and bed, forms for doctors to approve herbal treatments from trusted traditional healers, and protocols for “good dying” mindful of spiritual beliefs.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 27, 2022

Every now and again, I checked the window to see if the special delivery mail truck had rolled up to our house.

From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia