postage stamp
/'poustidʤ'stæmp/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- a small adhesive token stuck on a letter or package to indicate that that postal fees have been paid