n. the letters and packages that people send to each other through a post office. It can also mean the system that delivers these items to your home.
n. letters, packages, and other materials sent through a postal system. Often used to refer to the system itself or the physical items received in a single delivery.
I check the mail every morning after breakfast.
The office manager sorts the incoming mail into different folders for each department to review.
Despite the rise of digital communication, many legal documents still require delivery via physical mail to ensure they are properly witnessed and signed.
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.
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.
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.
Uncountable when referring to the system or the collection of items; individual items are called 'letters' or 'packages'.
I received three mails todayI received three letters todayMail is uncountable; to count individual items, use 'letters', 'emails', or 'pieces of mail'.