postman

¹

[ pohst-muhn ]

noun

, plural post·men.

1. a postal employee who carries and delivers mail; mail carrier.
2. Archaic. a courier.

postman

²

[ pohst-muhn ]

noun

, Old English Law.

, plural post·men.

1. a barrister in the Court of Exchequer who had precedence in motions.

postman

/ ˈpəʊstmən /

noun

1. a person who carries and delivers mail as a profession

Gender Note

See -man.

Word History and Origins

Origin of postman¹

First recorded in 1520–30; post ³ + -man

Origin of postman²

First recorded in 1760–70; post ¹ + -man

Example Sentences

Paul Gibbons, a postman from Swindon who won a BBC Make a Difference Award after helping a poorly neighbour in need, said Mr Holland’s delivery was an example of what sets his colleagues apart.

From BBC

A man who pushed a postman in front of an oncoming Tube train has been jailed for life, with a minimum of eight years.

From BBC

"Our postman knocked on the window the first year we did this and said 'is that a Christmas tree?'."

From BBC

Mr Findlay has written books on gangland crime and was the victim of an acid attack in 2015, when an assailant appeared at his door disguised as a postman.

From BBC

A homeless man who pushed a postman in front of an oncoming Tube train has been found guilty of attempted murder.

From BBC

Related Words

• letter carrier
• mailman