Definition

Noun 1. First-class mail: A category of postal service for sending letters, postcards, and packages that are sealed against inspection. It typically receives priority handling and faster delivery compared to other classes of mail.

Usage

First-class mail is used as a noun to refer to the specific postal service category. It is often contrasted with other classes like "standard mail" or "media mail."

Examples

• Noun:
  • Please send this document via 1st-class mail to ensure it arrives quickly.
  • The postage for a standard letter sent as 1st-class mail has increased this year.
  • Packages sent as 1st-class mail must be sealed and cannot be opened for postal inspection.

Advanced Usage

• "To send something 1st-class": A common verbal phrase meaning to use the first-class mail service.
  • I need to send this 1st-class; it's time-sensitive.

Variants and Related Words

• First-class postage (n): The postage rate or stamp required for sending first-class mail.
  • You must affix the correct first-class postage to the envelope.
• First-class (adj): Of the highest quality or priority. (Note: This is a distinct, more general meaning of the compound adjective "first-class," not specific to mail).
  • They traveled in first-class accommodations.

Synonyms

• Priority mail: (Note: In some postal systems, "Priority Mail" is a specific, often faster service tier that is similar to or a subset of first-class services for packages.)
• Letter post: A general term for mail consisting of letters.

Related Phrases

• Sealed against inspection: A key characteristic of first-class mail, meaning the contents are private and postal workers are not permitted to open it.
  • The privacy of first-class mail is protected because it is sealed against inspection.

Noun

1. mail that includes letters and postcards and packages sealed against inspection