Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small adhesive token stuck on a letter or package to indicate that postal fees have been paid: A postage stamp is a small piece of paper with a printed design and adhesive backing, purchased and affixed to mail to show payment for its delivery by a postal service.

Usage

• The primary function of a postage stamp is to prepay for postal service. It is affixed to the upper right corner of an envelope or package.
• It serves as proof of payment to the postal carrier.
• Collecting postage stamps is a popular hobby known as philately.

Examples

• Noun:
  • I need to buy a postage stamp before I can mail this letter.
  • The envelope was returned because it lacked a postage stamp.
  • She has a collection of rare and old postage stamps from around the world.

Advanced Usage

• "Commemorative postage stamp": A stamp issued to honor a person, place, event, or theme, often with a special design and for a limited time.
  • The postal service issued a commemorative postage stamp for the astronaut's historic flight.

Variants and Related Words

• Stamp (n): Often used as a shorter, more informal synonym for "postage stamp."
  • Don't forget to put a stamp on that postcard.
• Postage (n): The charge or fee for sending mail.
  • The postage for an international letter has increased.

Synonyms

• Postal stamp: A less common but equivalent term.
• Metered postage: Refers to postage printed directly onto mail by a postage meter machine, which serves the same function as a physical stamp but is not a physical token.

Related Phrases

• Postage due: A charge for insufficient postage, often indicated by a special mark or stamp from the postal service.
  • The letter arrived with postage due, so I had to pay the extra fee.
• First-class postage: The postage rate for standard letters and cards.
  • A postage stamp for a first-class letter currently costs 68 cents.

Noun

1. a small adhesive token stuck on a letter or package to indicate that that postal fees have been paid