# postman

/ˈpoʊsmən/ (US) · /pˈəʊstmən/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/postman
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a person whose job is to deliver letters and packages to people's homes or offices. You might also hear this person called a mail carrier or postal worker.

For teachers: a person employed to deliver and collect letters and parcels. While common in British English, it is increasingly replaced by gender-neutral terms like 'postal worker' or 'mail carrier' in official contexts.

## Examples

- The postman delivers the mail every morning at ten.
- The postman had to leave a note because the package was too large for the letterbox.
- Despite the rise of digital communication, the local postman remains a vital link for elderly residents who rely on physical correspondence for their essential services.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in British English; the American equivalent is 'mailman'.

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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.