Postmark: meaning, definitions and examples
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postmark
[ ˈpəʊst.mɑːrk ]
mail processing
A postmark is an official mark or cancellation mark that is applied by postal services to a piece of mail. This mark indicates the date and location where the mail was processed and is often used to establish the time of mailing. It serves as proof that the item was sent, which can be important for legal or financial reasons. Postmarks can vary in design and format depending on the postal service issuing them, and some collectors seek unique or historical postmarks.
Synonyms
cancellation mark, mail mark, postal mark
Examples of usage
- The letter had a postmark from New York.
- He framed the envelope because of its rare postmark.
- The package arrived with a faded postmark.
- She checked the postmark to confirm the mailing date.
Translations
Translations of the word "postmark" in other languages:
🇵🇹 carimbo
🇮🇳 पोस्टमार्क
🇩🇪 Poststempel
🇮🇩 cap pos
🇺🇦 поштова марка
🇵🇱 znaczek pocztowy
🇯🇵 郵便印
🇫🇷 timbre postal
🇪🇸 marca postal
🇹🇷 postamark
🇰🇷 우편 날인
🇸🇦 طابع بريد
🇨🇿 poštovní razítko
🇸🇰 poštová známka
🇨🇳 邮戳
🇸🇮 poštni žig
🇮🇸 póstmerki
🇰🇿 пошталық марка
🇬🇪 ფოსტა მარკა
🇦🇿 poçt markası
🇲🇽 sello postal
Etymology
The term 'postmark' originated in the early 19th century, combining 'post,' which comes from the Latin 'postis' meaning 'post' or 'station,' and 'mark,' which refers to a symbol or indication. The practice of marking mail for identification and cancellation began in the 1600s, when postal systems were being established in various countries. Initially, postmarks were simple straight lines or crosses, but as postal services evolved, they adopted more complex and decorative postmarks. The introduction of the postage stamp in the mid-19th century further developed the use of postmarks. They provided a way to show that postage had been paid and helped to prevent the reuse of stamps. Over time, postmarks became a significant part of postal history and culture, leading to the collection and study of these markings by philatelists.