# mail

/ˈmeɪɫ/ (US) · /mˈeɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mail
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. letters and packages

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- I need to check the mail to see if my new passport has arrived.
- The receptionist sorted the morning mail into individual pigeonholes before the staff arrived for the meeting.

### 2. the postal system

noun · CEFR A2

the system or service used for sending letters and packages.

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

- It is often cheaper to send heavy books through the regular mail.
- The government subsidises the mail in rural areas to ensure that every citizen has access to essential communication services.

### 3. email

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- I received a lot of junk mail in my inbox this morning.
- The server was overwhelmed by the volume of incoming mail after the marketing campaign was launched globally.

### 4. metal armor

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

armor made of many small metal rings linked together.

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

- The knights in the museum wore heavy suits of mail.
- Archaeologists discovered fragments of iron mail, suggesting that the infantry were better equipped than previously recorded.

### 5. to send by post

verb · CEFR A2 · American English

to send a letter or package using the postal service.

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

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

### 6. to send an email

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to send a message to someone using the internet.

For teachers: to transmit a message or document via electronic mail.

- I will mail you the details of the party later tonight.
- Please mail the final draft of the contract to the legal department for a final review before the deadline.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.