Definition

Proper noun * United States Post Office: The official name for the national postal service of the United States of America. It is a government agency responsible for providing mail collection, processing, delivery, and related services to the public and businesses across the country and its territories.

Usage

• The term "United States Post Office" is used to refer to the institution as a whole, its system, or its governing body. It is often formally abbreviated as USPS (United States Postal Service).
• It can also refer to a specific local branch or building where postal services are offered, though "post office" is more common for the physical location.

Examples

• "The United States Post Office handles billions of pieces of mail each year."
• "You can buy stamps at the United States Post Office on Main Street."
• "She has worked for the United States Post Office for over twenty years."

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: While "United States Post Office" was the long-standing name, the agency was reorganized and renamed the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 1971. In contemporary usage, "United States Post Office" is often used interchangeably with "USPS" or "Postal Service" to refer to the national institution, though "USPS" is the official modern name.

Variants and Related Words

• USPS (Proper noun): The common acronym for the United States Postal Service, the current name of the agency.
  • Example: "Track your package using the USPS website."
• Post Office (Noun): The general term for a building or local branch where mail services are offered. This can refer to branches of the USPS or the postal services of other countries.
  • Example: "I need to stop by the post office to mail this letter."
• Postal Service (Noun): A general term for a country's mail delivery system. Often capitalized ("Postal Service") when referring specifically to the US institution.
  • Example: "The Postal Service is an essential public service."

Synonyms

• U.S. Mail
• The Postal Service (when context clearly refers to the United States)
• The Post (less formal, general)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Going postal": (Idiom, informal) An idiom meaning to become extremely and uncontrollably angry, often with the potential for violence. This phrase originated from highly publicized incidents involving postal workers in the late 20th century. Note: This is a sensitive and potentially offensive idiom.
  • Example: "After the computer crashed for the third time, he was ready to go postal."

Noun

1. an independent agency of the federal government responsible for mail delivery (and sometimes telecommunications) between individuals and businesses in the United States