Definition

1. Noun:

   • A long, sturdy piece of timber or metal fixed upright: A "post" is a pole or stake set into the ground, often used as a support or marker.
   • The system for collecting and delivering letters and packages: "Post" refers to the mail service or the letters and packages themselves.
   • A job or position of employment, especially a specific duty or station: A "post" is an assigned place or job, often with official responsibilities.
   • A military base or the place where a soldier is stationed: A "post" is a place where troops are stationed or a soldier's assigned place of duty.

2. Verb:

   • To display or affix in a public place: To "post" something means to put up a notice or sign for public viewing.
   • To send via the mail system: To "post" a letter or package is to send it through the postal service.
   • To assign to a specific place or duty: To "post" someone is to assign them to a particular job or station.
   • To record or enter in a ledger: In accounting, to "post" is to transfer entries to a formal record or ledger.
   • To make information publicly known, especially online: To "post" information is to publish it, particularly on the internet.

Examples

• Noun:

  • He set a wooden post in the ground to mark the corner of his property.
  • I check my post every morning when I get to the office.
  • She was offered a post as a senior analyst at the bank.
  • The soldier returned to his post after his leave.

• Verb:

  • The manager will post the new schedule on the bulletin board.
  • Don't forget to post those birthday cards today.
  • After graduation, he was posted to an embassy overseas.
  • The accountant needs to post these transactions to the general ledger.
  • He posted a photo of his vacation on social media.

Advanced Usage

• "to keep someone posted": to regularly provide someone with the latest information or updates.

  • Please keep me posted on any developments in the case.

• "first post" / "last post": In military contexts, these are bugle calls signaling the start and end of the day, or played at memorial services.

  • The sound of the Last Post echoed across the cemetery.

• "by return of post": (somewhat dated) by the next available mail delivery in reply.

  • He promised to send a reply by return of post.

Variants and Related Words

• Posting (n): The act of putting something up or sending it by mail; also, an assigned position or job, especially in a foreign location.

  • His latest posting is in Singapore.

• Postage (n): The charge for sending an item by mail.

  • The postage for this package is quite high.

• Postal (adj): Relating to the mail service.

  • The postal service delivers millions of letters daily.

Synonyms

• Noun (Pole): Pole, stake, pillar, column.
• Noun (Mail): Mail, correspondence.
• Noun (Job): Position, job, appointment, station.
• Verb (Display): Display, affix, pin up, put up.
• Verb (Send): Mail, send, dispatch.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Post up: To take up a stationary position, often to wait or guard.

  • The security guard posted up at the entrance for the night.

• Post away: To be assigned to a distant location.

  • He was posted away to a remote region for two years.

Related Idioms

• "Pillar to post": (From "driven from pillar to post") To be forced to go from one place to another, especially when being harassed or given the runaround.

  • I've been driven from pillar to post trying to get this permit approved.

• "As deaf as a post": Completely deaf or refusing to listen.

  • I shouted his name, but he's as deaf as a post and didn't hear me.

Verb

1. mark or expose as infamous
   • She was branded a loose woman
2. cause to be directed or transmitted to another place
   • send me your latest results
   • I'll mail you the paper when it's written
3. place so as to be noticed
   • post a sign
   • post a warning at the dump
4. mark with a stake
   • stake out the path
5. ride Western style and bob up and down in the saddle in rhythm with a horse's trotting gait
6. transfer (entries) from one account book to another
7. enter on a public list
8. display, as of records in sports games
9. assign to a station
10. assign to a post; put into a post
    • The newspaper posted him in Timbuktu
11. publicize with, or as if with, a poster
    • I'll post the news on the bulletin board
12. affix in a public place or for public notice
    • post a warning

Noun

1. the delivery and collection of letters and packages
   • it came by the first post
   • if you hurry you'll catch the post
2. the system whereby messages are transmitted via the post office
   • the mail handles billions of items every day
   • he works for the United States mail service
   • in England they call mail `the post'
3. a pole or stake set up to mark something (as the start or end of a race track)
   • a pair of posts marked the goal
   • the corner of the lot was indicated by a stake
4. any particular collection of letters or packages that is delivered
   • your mail is on the table
   • is there any post for me?
   • she was opening her post
5. United States manufacturer of breakfast cereals and Postum (1854-1914)
6. United States female author who wrote a book and a syndicated newspaper column on etiquette (1872-1960)
7. United States aviator who in 1933 made the first solo flight around the world (1899-1935)
8. an upright consisting of a piece of timber or metal fixed firmly in an upright position
   • he set a row of posts in the ground and strung barbwire between them
9. a job in an organization
   • he occupied a post in the treasury
10. military installation at which a body of troops is stationed
    • this military post provides an important source of income for the town nearby
    • there is an officer's club on the post
11. the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand
    • a soldier manned the entrance post
    • a sentry station