posthaste

1 of 3

noun

post·​haste ˈpōst-ˈhāst How to pronounce posthaste (audio)
archaic
: great haste

posthaste

2 of 3

adverb

: with all possible speed

posthaste

3 of 3

adjective

obsolete
: speedy, immediate
requires your … posthaste appearanceWilliam Shakespeare

Did you know?

In the 16th century, the phrase "haste, post, haste" was used to inform posts (as couriers were then called) that a letter was urgent and must be hastily delivered. Posts would then speedily gallop along a route with a series of places at which to get a fresh horse or to relay the letter to a fresh messenger. William Shakespeare was one of the first to use a version of the phrase adverbially in Richard II. "Old John of Gaunt ... hath sent post haste / To entreat your Majesty to visit him," the Bard versified. He also used the phrase as an adjective (a use that is now obsolete) in Othello: "The Duke ... requires your haste-post-haste appearance," Lieutenant Cassio reports to the play's namesake. Today, the word still possesses a literary flair attributable to the Bard.

Example Sentences

Adverb ran posthaste for the doctor
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
A week later, at a meeting of the Library Association, Hatch reported that overdue books were being returned posthaste. Kevin Leonard, baltimoresun.com, 28 May 2021 Stick to paper towels for that task and toss them out posthaste. Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 13 Feb. 2021 Nor can activists install any sort of counter-monument without property management removing it posthaste. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2020 For this reason, the City aspires to get everyone covered under the same umbrella posthaste. Sue Kiesewetter, The Enquirer, 13 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'posthaste.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

post entry 3

First Known Use

Noun

1545, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1569, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of posthaste was in 1545

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near posthaste

Cite this Entry

“Posthaste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/posthaste. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

posthaste

adverb
post·​haste
ˈpōst-ˈhāst
: with great speed
sent posthaste for the doctor
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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