post

1 of 8

noun (1)

1
: a piece (as of timber or metal) fixed firmly in an upright position especially as a stay or support : pillar, column
2
: a pole or stake set up to mark or indicate something
especially : a pole that marks the starting or finishing point of a horse race
3
a
b
: a football passing play in which the receiver runs downfield before turning towards the middle of the field
4
: the metal stem of a pierced earring
5
: a metallic fitting attached to an electrical device (such as a storage battery) for convenience in making connections

post

2 of 8

verb (1)

posted; posting; posts

transitive verb

1
: to affix to a usual place (such as a wall) for public notices : placard
2
a
: to publish, announce, or advertise by or as if by use of a placard
b
: to denounce by public notice
c
: to enter on a public listing
d
: to forbid (property) to trespassers under penalty of legal prosecution by notices placed along the boundaries
e
: score
posted a 70 in the final round
3
: to publish (something, such as a message) in an online forum (such as an electronic message board)

post

3 of 8

noun (2)

1
: something (such as a message) that is published online
2
chiefly British
a
: a nation's organization for handling mail
also : the mail handled
b(1)
: a single dispatch of mail
d
3
archaic
a
: one of a series of stations for keeping horses for relays
b
: the distance between any two such consecutive stations : stage
4
obsolete : courier

post

4 of 8

verb (2)

posted; posting; posts

transitive verb

1
: to make familiar with a subject : inform
kept her posted on the latest gossip
2
: mail
post a letter
3
a
: to transfer or carry from a book of original entry to a ledger
b
: to make transfer entries in
4
archaic : to dispatch in haste

intransitive verb

1
: to rise from the saddle and return to it in rhythm with a horse's trot
2
: to ride or travel with haste : hurry
3
: to travel with post-horses

post

5 of 8

adverb

: with post-horses : express

post

6 of 8

noun (3)

1
a
: the place at which a soldier is stationed
especially : a sentry's beat or station
b
: a station or task to which one is assigned
c
: the place at which a body of troops is stationed : camp
d
: a local subdivision of a veterans' organization
e
: one of two bugle calls sounded (as in the British army) at tattoo
2
a
: an office or position to which a person is appointed
b
: an area on a basketball court that is located just outside the free throw lane usually near the basket
also : the offensive position of a player occupying the post
3
b
: a trading station on the floor of a stock exchange

post

7 of 8

verb (3)

posted; posting; posts

transitive verb

1
a
: to station in a given place
guards were posted at the doors
b
: to carry ceremoniously to a position
posting the colors
2
chiefly British : to assign to a unit, position, or location (as in the military or civil service)
3
: to put up
O'Brien claims city cops roughed him up and refused to let him post bond.Jeffrey Ressner

post-

8 of 8

prefix

1
a
: after : subsequent : later
postdate
b
: behind : posterior : following after
postlude
postconsonantal
2
a
: subsequent to : later than
postoperative
b
: posterior to
postorbital

Examples of post in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
To reply to other posts, simply include ‘re:’ or ‘to’ the topic in the subject line of your post. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023 But that wasn't always the plan for the characters, Cox explained in her post. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 15 Nov. 2023 Daddy Yankee, Farruko, Arcángel and more stars of the reggaetón scene expressed their grief in social media posts. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 15 Nov. 2023 On Wednesday, several of the Kansas City Chiefs tight end's social media posts dating to 2010 recirculated on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), where many of Swift's fans appeared genuinely amused. Kaetlyn Liddy, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2023 Aniston’s post follows on the heels of Friends stars Matt LeBlanc and Courteney Cox sharing their own tributes on social media. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Nov. 2023 Fractures within the GOP have been on public display in recent weeks, particularly following an unprecedented motion to remove McCarthy from the nation's third-highest post last month. Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023 The lack of congestion seemed to suggest that residents had heeded the numerous cellphone alerts, social media posts and messages from city officials asking them to avoid the area and find other ways of getting to their destinations. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023 Some of King’s Below Deck Sailing Yacht cast members also responded to his recent post. Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2023
Verb
NetEase ’s quarterly profit rose as the Chinese videogame publisher posted a rise in sales that outpaced expenses. Ben Otto, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023 The letter resurfaced on TikTok this week amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, with some TikTok users posting about how reading the letter changed their perspective on the 9/11 attacks and U.S. foreign policy. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023 The British actress also snapped a pic of her name card with her character’s alias — a signifier that several cast members also posted on their Instagram Stories to mark the start of production. Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023 Stonestreet, who also posted to Instagram, explained Burrell's absence. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 16 Nov. 2023 Megan Thee Stallion posted one of her signature workout TikToks showing off her new glute-building fitness routine, but be warned: Even the stallion herself struggled to get through it. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 15 Nov. 2023 Those dates, times and locations have not been selected but will eventually be posted to the city’s website. Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2023 Online, some who responded to Jackson appeared to echo her belief that many people are afraid to post in fear of losing their jobs, but that Schumer appears to be able to post her feelings with impunity. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2023 Swift was also spotted giving Kelce a kiss on the cheek in an Instagram photo posted by wide receiver Mecole Hardman’s girlfriend Chiarah Gordon on Monday (Oct. 23), adding fuel to the fire of relationship rumors between the two superstars. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2023
Adverb
Brimming with midcentury character, the 3,700-square-foot home features post-and-beam construction, tongue-and-groove ceilings and walls of glass. Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023 Both appeared energetic in media interviews post-landing, although detailed medical results were not disclosed. Elizabeth Howell, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin postis; probably akin to Latin por- forward and to Latin stare to stand — more at portend, stand

Noun (2)

Middle French poste relay station, courier, from Old Italian posta relay station, from feminine of posto, past participle of porre to place, from Latin ponere — more at position

Noun (3)

Middle French poste, from Old Italian posto, from past participle of porre to place

Prefix

Middle English, from Latin, from post; akin to Lithuanian pas at, Greek apo away from — more at of

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

circa 1640, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun (2)

1507, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb (2)

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Adverb

1549, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb (3)

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of post was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near post

Cite this Entry

“Post.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/post. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

post

1 of 7 noun
1
: a piece of timber or metal fixed upright especially as a support : pillar
2
: a pole or stake set up as a marker
the starting post
3
: a metallic fixture attached to an electrical device (as a battery) for making connections

post

2 of 7 verb
1
a
: to fix notices to or on a suitable place (as a bulletin board)
b
: to publish or announce by or as if by a notice
posted the students' grades
2
: to forbid persons from entering or using by putting up warning notices
post a trout stream
3
: score entry 2 sense 1a
posted a 72 for the round
4
: to publish (as a message) in an online forum

post

3 of 7 noun
1
chiefly British : postal service
2
chiefly British : the mail handled by the post
3
chiefly British : a single shipment of mail
4
: something (as a message) that is posted online

post

4 of 7 verb
1
: to ride or travel with haste : hurry
2
3
: to transfer a bookkeeping item from a book of original entry to an account book
4
: to make familiar with a subject : inform

post

5 of 7 noun
1
a
: the place at which a soldier or guard is stationed
b
: a station or task to which a person is assigned
c
: a place to which troops are assigned : camp
2
: an office or position to which a person is appointed
3

post

6 of 7 verb
1
: to station in a given place
post a guard
2
: to give as a guarantee of payment
post a bond

post-

7 of 7 prefix
1
a
: after : later
postdate
b
: behind
2
: following : later than
postscript
Etymology

Noun

Old English post "an upright timber for support, pillar," from Latin postis (same meaning)

Noun

from early French poste "a relay station, one who carries messages," from early Italian posta "relay station," derived from porre (verb) "to place," from Latin ponere "to place" — related to post entry 5

Noun

from early French poste "place where soldiers are stationed," from early Italian posto (same meaning), derived from porre (verb) "to place," from Latin ponere "to place" — related to post entry 3

Prefix

derived from Latin post "after, later"

Legal Definition

post

transitive verb
: to put up (as bond)
post bail

Biographical Definition

Post

biographical name

Emily 1872–1960 née Price American columnist and writer

More from Merriam-Webster on post

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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