mailmail1 /meɪl/ noun [uncountableU]1the system of collecting or delivering letters, packages etcSYN BrE POSTYour cheque is in the mail (=I have just mailed it to you).
Do not send cash through the mail.
The company sells its computers by mail.
→ bulk mail → business reply mail → certified mail → registered mail → surface mail2the letters, packages etc that are sent to a particular person at a particular timeThe first thing he does when he arrives in the office is check his mail.
My secretary sorts through the incoming mail (=mail being received).
All outgoing mail (=mail being sent) must have a stamp on it.
a sorting machine that processes first-class mail (=letters sent by the fastest normal mail service) by ZIP code
→ direct mail → junk mail → snail mail3COMPUTING messages sent by emailHave you read your mail yet?
I got five mails this morning.
→ electronic mail → voice mail