drop letter

noun

1. a letter that is mailed to a local address at a post office without city delivery or a rural delivery service and must be picked up by the addressee.

Word History and Origins

Origin of drop letter¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

Georgetown Law decided Friday to drop letter grades for students pursuing JD degrees.

From Washington Post

It must be a drop letter, as no mail has been received this morning.'

From Project Gutenberg

The drop letter rate of postage will remain the same as now.

From Project Gutenberg

At the post-office March reined in his horse while Deacon Usher brought out a drop letter from Henry Fair.

From Project Gutenberg

"Here's a drop letter for you, Jack," remarked Gif, who was distributing some of the mail.

From Project Gutenberg