mail-in

American

[meyl-in] / ˈmeɪlˌɪn /

adjective

conducted or responding by mail.

a mail-in referendum.

noun

something conducted or returned by mail, as a questionnaire or vote.

Etymology

Origin of mail-in

adj., noun use of verb phrase mail in

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

August won that riding by a single vote in the last election before the results were tossed by the Supreme Court earlier this year over a clerical error on a mail-in ballot.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

In Kern County, for example, 3,303 mail-in ballots — or 1.95% of returned mail-in ballots — were not counted in the 2025 special election because they arrived too late.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Fourteen US states allow mail-in ballots to be tallied after the date of the election if they bear a postmark by Election Day.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

Tom Malinowski, a relative moderate who previously served two terms in Congress, was the heavy favorite and led in the early and mail-in voting.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Both President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump voted by mail-in ballot in the 2020 general election.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2025

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023