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mail

n. · v.
US //ˈmeɪɫ// UK //mˈeɪl// mail
  1. 1 letters and packages (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the letters and packages that are sent to you or that you send to others.

    the physical or electronic correspondence and parcels conveyed by a postal or telecommunications service.

    Example

    I need to check the mail to see if my new passport has arrived.

    Example

    The receptionist sorted the morning mail into individual pigeonholes before the staff arrived for the meeting.
  2. 2 the postal system (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the system or service used for sending letters and packages.

    the public or private organisational system responsible for the collection and delivery of post.

    Example

    It is often cheaper to send heavy books through the regular mail.

    Example

    The government subsidises the mail in rural areas to ensure that every citizen has access to essential communication services.
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  1. 3 email (n.)
    A2 Elementary Computing

    messages sent over the internet from one computer or phone to another.

    electronic messages sent via a computer network; often used as a collective noun for one's inbox contents.

    Example

    I received a lot of junk mail in my inbox this morning.

    Example

    The server was overwhelmed by the volume of incoming mail after the marketing campaign was launched globally.
  2. 4 metal armor (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal History

    armor made of many small metal rings linked together.

    a type of flexible armour consisting of interlinked metal rings or small plates.

    Example

    The knights in the museum wore heavy suits of mail.

    Example

    Archaeologists discovered fragments of iron mail, suggesting that the infantry were better equipped than previously recorded.
    • chainmail
  3. 5 to send by post (v.)
    A2 Elementary American English

    to send a letter or package using the postal service.

    to dispatch a letter or parcel through the postal system; ditransitive when specifying a recipient.

    Example

    Did you remember to mail that birthday card to your aunt?

    Example

    The law requires the company to mail a physical copy of the annual report to all registered shareholders.

    Usage

    In British English, 'post' is significantly more common as a verb.
  4. 6 to send an email (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal Computing

    to send a message to someone using the internet.

    to transmit a message or document via electronic mail.

    Example

    I will mail you the details of the party later tonight.

    Example

    Please mail the final draft of the contract to the legal department for a final review before the deadline.
Etymology 1

From Middle English male, from Anglo-Norman male, Old French male (“bag, wallet”), from Frankish malha (“bag”), from Proto-Germanic malhō (“bag, pouch”), from Proto-Indo-European *molko- (“leather pouch”). Compare Dutch maal.

Etymology 2

From Middle English mayle (“mail armor”), borrowed from Old French maille (“loop, stitch”), from Vulgar Latin macla, from Latin macula (“blemish, mesh”), probably from Proto-Indo-European smh₁-tleh₂, from *smeh₁- (“smear, rub”). Compare maillot.

Etymology 3

From Middle English mal, male from Old English māl (“speech, contract, agreement”) from Old Norse mál (“agreement, speech, lawsuit”). Akin to Old English mǣl (“speech”). Related to Old English mǣlan (mell), maþelian (“to speak out, declare”). From maþlą (“meeting-place”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European meh₂d- (“to encounter, come”), if so, related to meet, and moot.

Word family
Idioms3 entries

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