mailing
UK: ˈmeɪlɪŋ | US: ˈmeɪlɪŋ
n. the act of sending letters, packages, or other items by post
n. a batch of items sent out at one time (e.g., promotional materials)
v. (gerund/present participle of mail) the action of dispatching via postal service
mail<post> + ing<noun/verb suffix>
- mail: From Old French male (bag, bundle), later evolving to mean "letters or packages sent via post."
- ing: A suffix forming nouns (denoting action or material) or verbs (present participle/gerund).
Etymology Origin:
The word mailing combines mail (rooted in the concept of transporting items in a bag or bundle) with -ing, a versatile suffix indicating action or result. Historically, mail shifted from referring to physical containers (e.g., travel bags) to the contents themselves (letters), and -ing extends its function to describe the process or output of sending such items.
The mailing of invitations will begin next week.
She works in a department handling bulk mailing for advertisers.
Have you finished mailing the holiday cards?
The charity’s annual mailing reached over 10,000 donors.
Direct mailing remains an effective marketing strategy.