post
post — verb
1. to put a letter, package, or other item into the mail so that it gets delivered
to put a letter, package, or other item into the mail so that it gets delivered to a person at a different address
Jisoo posted a birthday card to her grandmother in Seoul last week.
post + object + to + destination
Could you post this package for me on your way to the shops?
Owen posted the signed documents to the company's head office this morning.
post + something + to + organisation
Sari posted a get-well card to her aunt who was in hospital.
- post a letter
- post a parcel
- post a card
- post something to someone
- post someone something
Grammar Patterns
post + object + to + person/place
post + someone + something
Usage Note
Commonly used with a direct object and a 'to'-phrase indicating the recipient. Can also take two objects: 'I posted her a letter.'
Common Mistakes
2. to drop something through a letterbox or similar slot so the person inside a bui
to drop something through a letterbox or similar slot so the person inside a building can receive it
Ayana posted the spare keys through the letterbox so her roommate could get in.
post + object + through + [opening]
The delivery driver posted a note through the front door when nobody answered.
Rania posted the invitation through each neighbour's letterbox on her street.
The children posted their thank-you drawings through the teacher's door.
- post something through the letterbox
- post a note
- post keys
- post a flyer
- push through
Emphasises the physical force needed; less idiomatic
- drop off
More general — can mean leaving something at a location without necessarily using a letterbox
Grammar Patterns
post + object + through + noun phrase
Usage Note
Focuses on the physical action of dropping something through a slot, rather than the overall postal delivery. The object is typically small enough to fit through a letterbox.
3. to assign someone to a designated work location for a set period, often in anoth
to assign someone to a designated work location for a set period, often in another city or country
After basic training, Samir was posted to a military base near the border.
passive: be posted to [place]
The bank posted Élise to their Singapore office for an eighteen-month assignment.
post + someone + to + [institution/location]
Asher was posted to the Tokyo embassy as a cultural attaché, a job he had wanted for years.
Many nurses are posted to rural clinics for their first year of work.
- be posted abroad
- be posted overseas
- be posted to a base
- be posted to a new office
- recall
To bring someone back from where they were posted
Grammar Patterns
post + someone + to + place
be posted to + place
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive voice ('be posted to'). Common in military, diplomatic, and corporate contexts. The person being posted typically stays in the new location for an extended period.
Common Mistakes
4. to fix a notice, sign, or piece of information somewhere publicly visible, like
to fix a notice, sign, or piece of information somewhere publicly visible, like on a wall or noticeboard
Ignacio posted a notice about the lost dog on the community centre board.
post + [item] + on + [surface/board]
The exam results were posted on the university noticeboard outside the main hall.
passive: [results/announcement] + be posted
The café owner posted a sign on the door saying the cafe would be closed Monday.
Job advertisements were posted on the wall near the staff entrance.
- post a notice
- post a sign
- post a list
- post results
- post on a noticeboard
- remove
To take down a notice or sign from where it was posted
Grammar Patterns
post + something + on/in + place
post + that-clause
Usage Note
The object is typically a physical item (notice, sign, list) displayed in a public space. For digital publishing, see sense 5 (ONLINE).
5. to publish a message, photo, video, or other content on a website, social media
to publish a message, photo, video, or other content on a website, social media platform, or online forum so other people can see it
Megan posted some holiday photos on her social media page after returning from Japan.
post + object + on + [platform]
Christopher posted a question in the online forum about repairing old bicycles.
Anya posts regularly about sustainable fashion on her blog, which has thousands of readers.
intransitive: post + about + [topic]
A video of the wedding ceremony was posted online the next day.
- post a comment
- post a photo
- post a video
- post on social media
- post online
- post about something
- delete
To remove content that was previously posted online
Grammar Patterns
post + object + on + [platform]
post + about + topic
post + that-clause
Usage Note
Can be used transitively ('post a photo') or intransitively ('post about something'). The platform is introduced by 'on'. This sense has become dominant with the rise of social media.
Common Mistakes
6. to offer money as bail or bond, which allows someone accused of a crime to stay
to offer money as bail or bond, which allows someone accused of a crime to stay out of jail until their trial takes place
Rania's family posted bail so she could wait at home instead of in jail before her trial.
post bail — standard legal collocation
The judge set bail at fifty thousand, and her brother posted the full amount that afternoon.
A local charity offered to post bond for the young mother who could not afford it.
The lawyer argued that her client was not a risk and should be allowed to post bail.
- post bail
- post bond
- post money for someone's release
Grammar Patterns
post + sum of money
post + noun (bail/bond)
Usage Note
Almost exclusively used with 'bail' or 'bond' as the object. The money is held by the court as a guarantee that the accused person will appear at their trial.
Common Mistakes
7. to show a business's earnings or the points from a sports game in a place where
to show a business's earnings or the points from a sports game in a place where many people can see them, such as on a board, in a newspaper, or online
The bank posted a profit of over two billion dollars for the first quarter.
post + profit/loss/earnings — financial results pattern
The referee posted the final scores on the official result board after the match.
post + scores — sports results pattern
The technology company posted weaker than expected sales figures in its annual report.
Rafael posted a personal best time of 3 minutes 42 seconds in the 1500-metre race.
post + time — sports achievement pattern
The retail chain posted disappointing Christmas sales that caused its share price to drop.
- post a profit
- post a loss
- post results
- post scores
- post earnings
- post a gain
- post a time
- conceal
to intentionally keep results hidden from the public
Grammar Patterns
post + financial result (profit/loss/sales/earnings)
post + sports score/time/win
Usage Note
Common in business journalism and sports reporting. The verb is transitive and usually takes a noun phrase describing the result (profit, loss, score, time). Often followed by a figure or comparison.
Common Mistakes
post — noun
1. Mail that reaches someone at their home or office after being sent through the p
Mail that reaches someone at their home or office after being sent through the postal system.
Sade checked the post every morning before leaving for work.
uncountable — 'the post' meaning mail in general
The post arrived late today because of the heavy snow on the roads.
Did you pick up the post from the doormat before the rain spoiled it?
collocation: pick up the post
My grandmother sends me a birthday card by post every year without fail.
Zola found a thick envelope among the pile of post on the hallway table.
collocation: pile of post
- morning post
- first-class post
- recorded post
- by post
- pile of post
- mail
more common in American English; same meaning
Usage Note
Uncountable in this sense — you cannot say 'a post' or 'posts' to refer to individual items of mail. Instead use 'some post' or 'a piece of post'.
Common Mistakes
2. The official system run by a country's post office that collects, transports, an
The official system run by a country's post office that collects, transports, and delivers letters and parcels to people's homes and businesses.
Eve sent the package through the post, and it arrived three days later.
collocation: send [sth] through the post
The post in Taiwan is known for being fast and very reliable.
You can pay the bill by post or do it online.
collocation: by post
Linh decided to use the post instead of a courier service to save money.
The post has become slower in rural areas since the budget cuts.
- by post
- through the post
- first-class post
- second-class post
- recorded post
- special delivery post
- mail service
more common in American English
- postal system
more formal, used in official contexts
Usage Note
Often used with 'the': 'the post'. In American English, 'mail' is the usual word for this sense.
3. The regular part of each day when the postal service picks up mail from postboxe
The regular part of each day when the postal service picks up mail from postboxes or brings it to people's homes and offices.
The post comes at nine, so I must get this letter out before then.
singular noun — 'the first post' / 'the last post' for delivery rounds
Mira missed the last post by only five minutes.
Summer schedules mean the second post often comes an hour later than usual.
Sana ran to the postbox hoping to catch the afternoon post before it arrived.
collocation: catch the post
- first post
- second post
- last post
- morning post
- catch the post
- miss the post
- mail collection
more neutral term for the pickup time
- delivery round
the journey the postman makes
Usage Note
Primarily British English. Usually appears as 'the first/second/last post'. In American English, 'mail pickup' or 'delivery time' is more common.
4. A job or official position within a company, government, or other organization,
A job or official position within a company, government, or other organization, especially one that someone is formally appointed to.
Gabriela accepted a teaching post at a school in Nairobi.
collocation: teaching post / academic post
Aaron has applied for the post of office manager at the hospital.
collocation: the post of [role]
The company has advertised several new posts in its research division this month.
Sumin turned down a post at a large law firm to start her own practice.
The post of head librarian remained vacant for over six months.
- take up a post
- apply for a post
- teaching post
- senior post
- vacant post
- the post of [role]
- position
similar formality; interchangeable in most contexts
- appointment
emphasises the formal selection process
- role
broader, less formal; can describe duties rather than rank
Usage Note
More formal than 'job'. Often used for positions in education, government, and management. Commonly appears with 'of' to specify the role: 'the post of director'.
Common Mistakes
5. The period of time during which someone holds a particular job or official posit
The period of time during which someone holds a particular job or official position in an organization.
During her post as director, Elena started many new programs for young people.
collocation: during [sb's] post as [role]
The ambassador's post in Bangkok lasted for only eighteen months.
possessive: [sb's] post in [place]
Samir's post as team leader ended when the project finished in March.
Defne hoped her post at the museum would lead to a permanent contract.
- during [sb's] post
- in [sb's] post
- post as [role]
- tenure
more formal; often used for academic or political positions
- term
emphasises a fixed length, especially in politics
- time in office
mostly used for political leaders
Usage Note
Often preceded by a possessive ('his post', 'her post') or a determiner followed by 'as' ('his post as head teacher'). This sense is narrower than sense 4 — it emphasises the duration rather than the role itself.
6. A long piece of wood, metal, or other strong material set upright in the ground
A long piece of wood, metal, or other strong material set upright in the ground to hold something in place, support a structure, or mark a position.
The wooden post at the corner of the garden fence has started to rot.
collocation: wooden post / metal post
A metal post held the street sign firmly above the road.
The workers dug a hole and set a concrete post for a new lamp.
collocation: set a post in the ground
A strong fence post is essential to keep the gate from sagging over time.
Each fence post was spaced exactly two metres apart along the boundary line.
- wooden post
- metal post
- concrete post
- fence post
- gate post
- lamp post
- sign post
- set a post
- dig a post hole
Usage Note
Distinguish from 'pole' (which is narrower, cylindrical, and often longer) — 'post' is typically thicker and used for support or marking rather than for carrying wires or climbing.
7. one of the posts placed along a horse racing track to show the starting point, f
one of the posts placed along a horse racing track to show the starting point, finish line, or a position along the course
Hugo's horse crossed the winning post two seconds faster than any other runner.
"winning post" — the finishing marker in a horse race
Manuela watched from the rail as the horses thundered past the starting post.
"starting post" — the point where a race begins
Pim checked the race guide to see which horse was leading past the halfway post.
The jockey urged his horse forward and passed the winning post with a comfortable lead.
- winning post
- starting post
- finishing post
- halfway post
Usage Note
Often combined with a modifier such as winning, starting, or finishing to specify which marker.
8. either of the two upright poles that mark the sides of the goal in football, rug
either of the two upright poles that mark the sides of the goal in football, rugby, hockey, and similar games
Reema kicked the ball hard, but it hit the post and bounced away.
"hit the post" — ball makes contact with the goalpost
Tunde's shot hit the near post before rolling across the goal line.
"near post / far post" — referring to which of the two goalposts is closer or farther
Allison curved the ball around the wall and struck the far post before going in.
The goalkeeper watched helplessly as the ball ricocheted off the post and into the net.
- hit the post
- off the post
- near post
- far post
- strike the post
- goalpost
the full term for either of the two vertical posts in a goal
Usage Note
Often used in phrases like hit the post, off the post, near post, and far post to describe where the ball goes in relation to the goal.
9. during a basketball game, the spot near the basket where players, especially tal
during a basketball game, the spot near the basket where players, especially taller ones, stand to receive passes and try to score
Hamza set up in the post and called for the ball from his teammate.
"set up in the post" — a player takes position near the basket
Rin moved into the post position and waited for a pass from the point guard.
"post position" — the area near the basket used by taller players
Christopher passed the ball into the post, where his teammate scored easily.
The coach taught the young players how to hold their ground in the post against taller opponents.
"in the post" — occupying the area near the basket
- post position
- set up in the post
- play in the post
- low post
- high post
Usage Note
Common in basketball commentary and coaching. The post is often divided into the low post (close to the basket) and the high post (farther out).
10. the exact place where a person — for example a guard, a sentry, or a security wo
the exact place where a person — for example a guard, a sentry, or a security worker — is required to stay and do their job
The night guard stayed at his post for the entire twelve-hour shift.
"at (one's) post" — performing guard or sentry duty at a designated place
Greta reported to her post at the embassy gate at six o'clock sharp.
The commander ordered the soldiers to remain at their post until the morning.
"remain at (one's) post" — not leaving the assigned station
A guard was stationed at every entrance, and none of them left their post during the event.
- at one's post
- leave one's post
- guard post
- remain at post
Usage Note
Frequently appears in the phrases at one's post and leave one's post, especially in military and security contexts.
11. a military camp or base where soldiers live and carry out their duties
a military camp or base where soldiers live and carry out their duties
The soldiers stationed at the post received fresh supplies by helicopter.
"stationed at the post" — assigned to a specific military base
A medical helicopter landed at the forward post to evacuate the wounded soldier.
"forward post" — a military base close to the front lines
The base commander decided to close the remote post after the ceasefire was signed.
The army post near the border was reinforced with extra troops after the attack.
- military post
- forward post
- remote post
- army post
- close a post
- base
the most common general term for a military facility
- camp
suggests a temporary or less permanent installation
- installation
a formal term for any military facility
Usage Note
Often used with adjectives like forward, remote, or military to describe the type or location of the base.
12. a piece of content — for instance, a written message, a photograph, or a short v
a piece of content — for instance, a written message, a photograph, or a short video clip — that a person puts on the internet for others to see
Eitan's post about the charity run received over two thousand likes within an hour.
"social media post" — content published on a social platform
The travel blogger's post about her trip to Kyoto included stunning photos of the temples.
"blog post" — written content published on a blog or website
The company's official post on social media announced the launch of their new product.
Fatima scrolled through dozens of posts before finding one about student visa rules.
- social media post
- blog post
- share a post
- delete a post
- viral post
Usage Note
Commonly modified by the platform (Facebook post, Instagram post, blog post) or by content type (photo post, video post).
Word family
- postaladjectiveB1
- postagenounB1
- postmannounA2
- postwomannounA2
- postmasternounC1
- postmarknounB2
- posternounA2
- postingnounB2
- postdocnounC1
- postgraduatenounB2
- postgraduateadjectiveB2
- postscriptnounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/5
For online content (verb/5), 'post' is the most general term for any content on any platform. 'Publish' is more formal, suggesting a wider permanent audience. 'Upload' is technical, focusing on transferring a file. 'Share' has a warmer interpersonal tone. 'Send' is for private delivery, not public posting. For jobs (noun/4), 'post' and 'position' are equally formal and interchangeable; 'role' is broader, describing responsibilities without implying rank; 'assignment' is temporary. For physical supports (noun/6), 'post' is thick and structural (fence post), 'pole' is longer and slender (telegraph pole), 'stake' is small and pointed for the ground (tent stake), and 'pillar' is architectural. In mail contexts, British English uses 'post' where American English prefers 'mail' — for both the system (the post / the mail) and individual items (some post / some mail).
Common collocations
Nouns
- post office
- post box
- post code
- post room
- blog post
- job post
- Facebook post
- goal post
- lamp post
- sign post
- fence post
- gate post
Phrases
- post bail
- post bond
- at one's post
- leave one's post
- keep someone posted
- be posted to
- post a letter
- post a notice
- post online
Prepositions
- by post
- in the post
- through the post
Etymology
The English word 'post' is a fascinating case of several distinct historical paths converging on the same modern spelling. The senses related to mailing, assigning someone to a position, and placing a notice all trace back through Old French 'poste' (a relay station for horses carrying mail) to the Latin verb 'ponere' (to place or put) — the core idea being that someone or something is 'placed' somewhere for a purpose. The physical sense of an upright pole (fence post, lamp post) comes from a different source: Latin 'postis' meaning doorpost or gatepost, which entered Old English directly. A third origin is the Latin adverb and prefix 'post' meaning 'after' or 'behind', seen in words like postgraduate, postdate, and postscript. This blending of unrelated Latin roots into one English word explains why 'post' can refer to mail delivery, a job, a wooden pole, and an online message — four meanings that seem very different but each arrived through its own historical route.