snail mail

noun

1
informal : mail delivered by a postal system especially when contrasted with email : mail sense 1a
I avoid using e-mail to complain. I use the phone or old-fashioned snail mail.Arlene Silverman
2
informal : a nation's postal system : mail sense 2
The others have taken the traditional route: sending checks by snail mail.Stephen Gandel

Examples of snail mail in a Sentence

She still uses snail mail for paying bills. I can be contacted by e-mail and snail mail.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Similarly, patients should keep track of all materials related to an insurance appeal — records of phone calls, emails, snail mail, and in-app messages. Lauren Sausser, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 Similarly, patients should keep track of all materials related to an insurance appeal — records of phone calls, emails, snail mail, and in-app messages. Lauren Sausser, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2025 The action sports denizens would then snail mail the tapes to the agency. Daniel Kaplan, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025 Be wary of mailbox communications Bad actors may also try to scam you through snail mail. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for snail mail

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of snail mail was in 1982

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Cite this Entry

“Snail mail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snail%20mail. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

snail mail

noun
informal
1
: mail delivered by a postal system
2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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