Postmaster

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈpoʊstˌmæstɚ/

Definitions

1. An official responsible for managing the operations and staff of a postal facility
2. A person who oversees the administration and functioning of a mailing service or postal station within a designated area
3. An individual in charge of a postal service location, ensuring efficient mail delivery and management of postal personnel

Etymology: The word is a plain compound: "post" plus "master." The first part traces back to Latin "posta" or "posita," a fixed station or stopping place, which passed through Italian and French before arriving in English. The second part, "master," comes from Latin "magister," meaning a chief or teacher, and reached English through Old French "maistre" and Old English "mǣġester." Put together, a postmaster was originally the person in charge of a fixed post, meaning a relay station where horses and riders were kept for official travel. Only later did the sense narrow to the head of a postal office, which is the meaning used today.

Synonyms: mail carrier, postal worker