Definition

1. Noun:

   • A cancellation mark stamped on mail by postal officials: A postmark is an official mark, typically circular, stamped on letters, packages, or other postal items. It indicates the date and location (post office) of mailing and often cancels the postage stamp to prevent its reuse.

2. Verb:

   • To stamp with a postmark: The action of applying the official postal mark to an item of mail to indicate its date and place of posting and to cancel the postage stamp.

Usage

• The noun form refers to the physical mark itself.
• The verb form describes the action performed by postal services.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The letter had a clear postmark from London dated December 24th.
  • Collectors sometimes seek envelopes with rare or historical postmarks.

• Verb:

  • All outgoing mail is postmarked at the central sorting facility.
  • The package was postmarked yesterday, so it should arrive soon.

Advanced Usage

• "To bear a postmark": To have a postmark visible on it.

  • The envelope must bear a postmark no later than the application deadline.

• "Postmark date": The specific date indicated by the postmark.

  • The contest entry is valid based on its postmark date.

Variants and Related Words

• Postmarking (gerund/noun): The process or act of applying a postmark.

  • The postmarking of all holiday mail creates a backlog at the post office.

• Postmarked (adjective/verb past participle): Describing mail that has received a postmark.

  • Please ensure the application is postmarked by Friday.

Synonyms

• Noun: Cancellation mark, postal mark, date stamp.
• Verb: Cancel, stamp, frank.

Related Phrases

• "As per the postmark": According to the date shown by the postmark.

  • Your payment was received late, as per the postmark on the envelope.

• "A legible postmark": A postmark that is clear and easy to read.

  • The damage made the postmark illegible, so we couldn't verify the mailing date.

Noun

1. a cancellation mark stamped on mail by postal officials; indicates the post office and date of mailing

Verb

1. stamp with a postmark to indicate date and time of mailing