Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

mail

noun (1), often attributive
Save Word
\ ˈmāl How to pronounce mail (audio) \

Definition of mail

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1a : material (such as letters and packages) sent or carried in a postal system sorting through the mail also : similar material distributed within an organization interoffice mail
b : email sense 2a
c : a conveyance that transports mail
2 : a nation's postal system a letter sent through the mail —often used in plural packages sent through the mails
3 chiefly Scotland : bag, wallet

mail

verb
mailed; mailing; mails

Definition of mail (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

: to send by mail : post entry 4

mail

noun (2)

Definition of mail (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : armor made of metal links or sometimes plates
2 : a hard enclosing covering of an animal (such as a tortoise)

mail

noun (3)

Definition of mail (Entry 4 of 4)

chiefly Scotland
: payment, rent
Other Words from mail Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about mail

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from mail

Verb

mailability \ ˌmā-​lə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce mail (audio) \ noun
mailable \ ˈmā-​lə-​bəl How to pronounce mail (audio) \ adjective

Noun (2)

mailed \ ˈmāld How to pronounce mail (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms for mail

Synonyms: Verb

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of mail in a Sentence

Verb if you don't mail that letter soon, it's going to arrive late

First Known Use of mail

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1827, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for mail

Noun (1)

Middle English male, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German malaha bag

Noun (2)

Middle English maille metal link, mail, from Anglo-French, from Latin macula spot, mesh

Noun (3)

Middle English male, maille, from Old English māl agreement, pay, from Old Norse māl speech, agreement; akin to Old English mǣl speech

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about mail

Time Traveler for mail

Time Traveler

The first known use of mail was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Statistics for mail

Cite this Entry

“Mail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mail. Accessed 15 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for mail

mail

verb

English Language Learners Definition of mail

chiefly US : to send (something, such as a letter or package) by mail

See the full definition for mail in the English Language Learners Dictionary

mail

noun
\ ˈmāl How to pronounce mail (audio) \

Kids Definition of mail

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : letters and packages sent from one person to another through the post office
2 : the system used for sending and delivering letters and packages
3 : e-mail entry 1 sense 2

mail

verb
mailed; mailing

Kids Definition of mail (Entry 2 of 3)

: to send letters and packages through the post office

mail

noun

Kids Definition of mail (Entry 3 of 3)

: a fabric made of metal rings linked together and used as armor

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on mail

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mail

Nglish: Translation of mail for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of mail for Arabic Speakers

Comments on mail

What made you want to look up mail? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

obstreperous

Listen to the pronunciation of obstreperous

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

  • one green toy robot amidst many red toy robots
  • Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Typeshift

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games