general delivery

noun

: a department of a post office that handles the delivery of mail at a post office window to persons who call for it

Example Sentences

The letter is addressed to general delivery.

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of general delivery was in 1846

Dictionary Entries Near general delivery

general degree

general delivery

general deputy

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“General delivery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general%20delivery. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation

Share

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of cavalcade

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Love It or Hate It

  • heart-fire
  • When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with vitriol.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games