usps

IPA/ˌjuː es piː ˈes/
IPA/ˌjuː es piː ˈes/

usps — abbreviation

1. The national postal service in the United States, responsible for picking up, pr

1.abbreviationB1
Definition

The national postal service in the United States, responsible for picking up, processing, and delivering mail and packages across the country.

Example

Tamar sent her application documents via USPS priority mail last Thursday.

collocation: via USPS [service type]

Folake checked the USPS tracking website every day until her package arrived.

collocation: USPS tracking website

Common collocations
  • USPS tracking
  • via USPS
  • USPS package
  • USPS mail
  • USPS priority mail
  • USPS mail carrier
Synonyms

Usage Note

Always capitalized in writing. Often used before another noun (USPS tracking, USPS mail, USPS package). In casual speech, Americans may say 'the post office' instead of 'USPS'.

Common Mistakes

I will USPS the package.
I will send the package via USPS.
USPS is a noun or modifier, not a verb.
The USPS tracking number is 12 digits.' (when referring to format generally)
USPS tracking numbers are usually around 20 characters long.
USPS tracking codes are alphanumeric, not just digits.

Synonym discussion

Sense: abbreviation/1

USPS (United States Postal Service) is the government-run national mail carrier in the US, used for standard letters and affordable package delivery. 'The Postal Service' is its formal bureaucratic name, common in legal or news contexts. 'The post office' is the everyday term Americans use when visiting a branch or describing the system informally ('I'm going to the post office'). UPS and FedEx are private competitors — they tend to be faster and offer better tracking for packages but charge higher prices. For instance, you would ask a friend to 'send the invitation by post office / USPS', but a business might 'ship the product via FedEx' to ensure next-day arrival.

USPS ↗the Postal Servicethe post officeUPS ↗FedEx ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • USPS tracking
  • USPS package
  • USPS mail
  • USPS priority mail
  • USPS mail carrier
  • USPS service

Phrases

  • through the USPS
  • by way of USPS

Prepositions

  • via USPS
  • by USPS
  • through USPS

Etymology

EnglishLatinFrench

USPS is an initialism for United States Postal Service. The agency was created in 1971 when Congress reorganized the former U.S. Post Office Department into an independent federal establishment. The postal system itself dates back to 1775 when Benjamin Franklin became the first Postmaster General under the Continental Congress.