# mails

/ˈmeɪɫz/ (US) · /mˈeɪlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mails
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. letters and parcels

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: the collective body of letters, postcards, and parcels handled by a postal system.

- I need to check the mails to see if my new passport has arrived.
- The receptionist sorted through the morning mails, separating the personal letters from the bulk advertisements and invoices.

### 2. the postal system

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

the system or service used for sending and delivering letters.

For teachers: the national or commercial system responsible for the collection and delivery of correspondence.

- The check is in the mails, so you should receive it by Tuesday.
- Disruptions in the mails during the holiday season often lead to significant delays for small businesses relying on physical shipping.

## Examples

- I sorted the mails on the kitchen table.
- The postman delivered the daily mails to every house on the street before noon.
- In an era of instant digital communication, the arrival of physical mails often carries a sense of tangible anticipation and personal connection.

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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.