SINCE 1828
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mail

noun (1), often attributive
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\ 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 Phrases Containing mail Learn More About mail

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

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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

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Time Traveler for mail

Time Traveler

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

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Dictionary Entries Near mail

maik

mail

mailbag

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Statistics for mail

Cite this Entry

“Mail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mail. Accessed 24 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for mail

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 : email 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

More from Merriam-Webster on mail

Nglish: Translation of mail for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of mail for Arabic Speakers

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