postmaster

/ˌpoʊstˈmæstər/

/ˈpʌʊstmæstər/

Other forms: postmasters

A postmaster is the person who manages a post office. It's ultimately the postmaster's responsibility to make sure your mail is delivered on time.

For three years, Abraham Lincoln was postmaster of the New Salem, Illinois, post office. Back then, this was an appointed position, and postmasters of large post offices were appointed by the president. Today, if you want to be a postmaster you should start by getting a job delivering or sorting mail and work your way up. The postmaster general heads up the entire U.S. Postal Service. Postmaster comes from post, or "mail," and the Latin magister, "director."

Definitions of postmaster

1. noun

   the person in charge of a post office
   types:

   postmistress

   a woman postmaster

   type of:

   master

   directs the work of others