postmark

American  

[pohst-mahrk] / ˈpoʊstˌmɑrk /

noun

1. an official mark stamped on letters and other mail, serving as a cancellation of the postage stamp and indicating the place, date, and sometimes time of sending or receipt.

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verb (used with object)

1. to stamp with a postmark.

postmark British  

/ ˈpəʊstˌmɑːk /

noun

1. any mark stamped on mail by postal officials, such as a simple obliteration, date mark, or indication of route See also cancellation

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verb

1. (tr) to put such a mark on mail

Other Word Forms

• unpostmarked adjective

Etymology

Origin of postmark

First recorded in 1670–80; post ³ + mark ¹

Example Sentences

Make sure to see the envelope handstamped with the postmark instead of tossing the letter in the mailbox, O’Saben added.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 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

As with the implications of the postmark rule in domestic elections, it’s not immediately clear what impact any potential complications for overseas voters could have.

From Salon • Jan. 12, 2026

Legal and administrative systems have for decades treated a postmark as evidence of when an individual met a deadline.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

A week later Westerberg received a terse card with a Montana postmark: April 18.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• forward
• send