snail mail

noun

1
informal : mail delivered by a postal system especially when contrasted with email : mail sense 1a
I avoid using e-mail to complain. I use the phone or old-fashioned snail mail. Arlene Silverman
2
informal : a nation's postal system : mail sense 2
The others have taken the traditional route: sending checks by snail mail. Stephen Gandel

Examples of snail mail in a Sentence

She still uses snail mail for paying bills. I can be contacted by e-mail and snail mail.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hundreds of people reached out to me and my mom—a single parent—with words of encouragement, whether through a text message or a heartfelt card sent via snail mail. Stella Shon, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024 But snail mail isn’t reliable transport for this special treat. Deanne Revel, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024 Be wary of mailbox communications: Bad actors may also try to scam you through snail mail. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 14 Sep. 2024 Workers aged 60 and older who do not have online accounts can still receive hard-copy statements via snail mail. David Rae, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for snail mail 

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of snail mail was in 1982

Dictionary Entries Near snail mail

Cite this Entry

“Snail mail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snail%20mail. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

snail mail

noun
informal
1
: mail delivered by a postal system
2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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