postmaster general

noun

plural postmasters general
: an official in charge of a national post office department or agency

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Then came DeJoy’s appointment as postmaster general. Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2020 Only the board can remove a postmaster general. Alex Pareene, The New Republic, 12 Feb. 2021 But the postmaster general's troubles extended to his work in the private sector following the Post's report in September about the alleged practice of reimbursing his employees for political contributions. Melissa Quinn, Pat Milton, CBS News, 4 June 2021 But remember that postmaster general is Louis De Joy — who could flip the ratio himself — appointed during the Trump administration, is still calling the shots. Curbed, 3 Feb. 2022 But there are 16 people lined up behind the VP to take over (a list that no longer includes the postmaster general and now culminates, less quaintly, with the secretary of homeland security). Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2013 The Postal Service was created in 1775 to give Americans a safe way to send things across long distances, but one thing that the first postmaster general, Benjamin Franklin, probably never imagined mailing was children. Dezimey Kum, USA TODAY, 14 July 2022 The postmaster general was authorized to shut down newspapers deemed to threaten the war effort. Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2022 Collamer was a prominent member of the Whig party and served as U.S. postmaster general. Chad Pergram, Fox News, 5 Oct. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'postmaster general.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of postmaster general was in 1626

Dictionary Entries Near postmaster general

Cite this Entry

“Postmaster general.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postmaster%20general. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

postmaster general

noun
plural postmasters general
: an official in charge of a national post office department or postal service
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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