What does post mean?
Post is a compact word with several modern lives. In digital conversation, a post is a message, article, photograph, or video published on a website or social network; as a verb, to post means to publish or share such content. The word also belongs to the older world of correspondence: a post is a letter or item sent through the postal system, and to post an item means to send it by mail. More literally, a post can be an official position, as in “a diplomatic post,” or an upright support for a fence or sign. As a verb, it can also mean announcing results or a decision, especially in British and institutional usage. In older formal language, post as an adjective or adverb means after or later than, a meaning preserved in compounds such as post-war. Across these senses, post links physical and digital forms of publication: both place a message into a public channel and deliver it to readers.
A message, article, photograph, video, or other item published online; a letter or item sent by mail; an official position; an upright support; or, historically, a relay station or rider traveling between such stations.
"Her post received thousands of responses within a few hours."
The online, correspondence, occupational, and physical-support senses are distinct, although the word's compact form makes them easy to confuse in context.
To publish or share content online; to send something by mail; to assign someone to an official position; or to announce information publicly.
"The department posted the examination results late on Friday."
The sense meaning announce or issue publicly is particularly common in British English.
After or later than a particular date, event, or period.
"The collection contains many examples of post-war industrial design."
This is mainly formal and is frequently hyphenated when it precedes a noun or date.
After or later than a particular time or event.
"The full results will be reviewed post."
This use is formal and uncommon in everyday speech.
The standard plural is posts, with the intended sense determined by context.
"The website publishes several posts every morning."
A postscript is literally a script after the main text—a reminder that the idea of being after is at the heart of post.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does post come from?
The temporal adjective and adverb descend directly from Latin post, meaning “after, behind” or “later than.” The postal noun and verb entered English through French poste, originally a relay or post station, ultimately from Latin posta, a station or stopping place associated with placing or setting down. Older senses concerning mounted riders changing horses and traveling between stations developed from that postal vocabulary.
Related word forms
How post is actually used
The digital meaning of publish or share online is neutral in register and common in both formal and informal contexts. In British English, post can also mean issue or announce publicly. The adjective and adverb senses are formal and occur especially in older writing, dates, and compounds.
Easily confused with post
In a compound such as post-1990, post means after 1990, whereas past means before a reference point or formerly.