What does postcard mean?
A postcard is a small piece of card sent through the post, traditionally with a picture on the front and a brief message, address, and stamp on the back. It became a common form of communication in the nineteenth century, when sending written messages by post was much more expensive than sending a postcard. Today, postcards remain popular as travel keepsakes, souvenirs, and invitations, while many people also use electronic versions to share photographs and short messages with friends and family. The word can refer either to the physical card or, informally, to its image or message. In contemporary usage, "postcard from Paris" often means a greeting or photograph sent by someone visiting Paris, whether it arrives by mail or online. Although email and social media have replaced many of the postcard’s practical functions, its association with travel and personal connection remains strong.
nounA small card, usually bearing a picture on one side and a short message, address, or stamp on the other, sent through the post. The term can also refer informally to a card received from a place, especially as a travel keepsake.
- A small card bearing a picture and a short message, sent by post.
- Informally, a picture or message from a place visited, especially one received by mail.
"She sent me a postcard from Venice with a photograph of the waterfront on the front."
"We exchanged postcards while we were at university."
"The old shop window was filled with postcards of the seaside."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"The museum shop sells postcards of local landmarks."
Before social media, a postcard was one of the simplest ways to send a little piece of scenery—and a personal message—to someone far away.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does postcard come from?
The word was formed in English in the nineteenth century from "post" and "card," and its development was influenced by the German compound Postkarte, literally "postal card." The first element belongs to the same postal family as "postal," "postage," and "postmark." The second element comes through French carte from Latin carta, a word for paper or written material.
Related word forms
How postcard is actually used
The word is neutral and widely used in both British and American English. In British English, "picture postcard" may distinguish a postcard with an image from a card containing only a written message, while the distinction is less commonly made in American English.
Easily confused with postcard
A postcard is specifically a card sent through the post, whereas a card is a broader term for any small, usually rectangular piece of stiff paper or card.