poste restante

[ pohst re-stahntor, especially British, res-tahnt; French pawst res-tahnt ]

noun

1. a direction written on mail to indicate that it should be held at the post office until called for by the addressee.
2. Chiefly British. a department in charge of such mail.

poste restante

/ ˈpəʊst rɪˈstænt; pɔst rɛstɑ̃t /

noun

1. (not in the US and Canada) an address on mail indicating that it should be kept at a specified post office until collected by the addressee
2. the mail-delivery service or post-office department that handles mail having this address

Word History and Origins

Origin of poste restante¹

1760–70; < French: literally, standing post

Word History and Origins

Origin of poste restante¹

French, literally: mail remaining

Example Sentences

I shall be at Munich on Friday, and have written to Hallam Tennyson, poste restante; but I hope to waylay them at the station.

From Project Gutenberg

She gave him several louis-d'or to supply his immediate wants, and told him to write a letter containing news of himself every week, addressed to the initial B., poste restante.

From Project Gutenberg

But before that I must hear from you,—one word of love, of forgiveness, of hope, addressed to 'Baroness Magelone of Erlenbusch, poste restante, Paris.'

From Project Gutenberg

A line will find me at Venice, poste restante, all September.

From Project Gutenberg

The doctor inquired at the poste restante in vain.

From Project Gutenberg