Postal Code Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：mail sorting code (postal code)

postal code 🔊

/ˈpoʊstəl koʊd/

A set of numbers or letters added to an address to help identify a specific area for sorting and delivering mail quickly.

Postal code written on envelope with city zone map background

mail sorting code 🔊

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/meɪl ˈsɔːrtɪŋ koʊd/

A combination of letters and numbers assigned to a geographic area to facilitate the automated sorting and delivery of mail.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'post' (mail) + '-al' (adjective suffix) + 'code' (system of symbols).

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a 'post' carrying a 'code' to sort letters quickly.

📖 Example

When ordering a birthday gift online for my sister, I carefully typed her postal code into the address field to make sure it arrives on time. 🔊 While purchasing a birthday present for his sister online, he entered her postal code correctly to guarantee timely shipping.

🔗 Collocations

enter a postal code – To input the code into a form or system

valid postal code – A code that is correct and recognized by the postal service

postal code format – The specific arrangement of characters in a code

🔄 Synonyms

zip code (n.) – The term used in the United States for a postal code.

postcode (n.) – The term commonly used in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries.

mail code (n.) – A general term for any code used in mail sorting.

📖 Cultural Story

The modern postal code system was pioneered by the United Kingdom in 1969 with the introduction of postcodes to automate mail sorting. It quickly became a global standard for efficient delivery.