ZIP code

What is another word for ZIP code? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Noun — A postal code used in the United States, consisting of five digits, sometimes followed by a hyphen and four more digits that pinpoint a smaller delivery area.

We haven't recorded synonyms for ZIP code yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use ZIP code

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

enter your ZIP code ZIP code lookup ZIP+4 by ZIP code

Standard American English. Officially styled ZIP in capitals, though lower-case "zip code" is very common in ordinary writing.

Etymology

ZIP is an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, the United States Post Office system introduced in 1963; the capitalisation reflects the acronym.

Full origin of ZIP code →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a ZIP code and a postcode?

They do the same job in different countries. ZIP code is the American term and is five digits, optionally extended to nine. Postcode is the British and Australian term; UK postcodes mix letters and numbers, such as SW1A 1AA, and identify a much smaller area than a US ZIP code does.

What does ZIP stand for in ZIP code?

Zone Improvement Plan, the sorting system the United States Post Office introduced in 1963 to speed up mail routing. That is why it is properly written in capitals.

What is the difference between a ZIP code and an area code?

A ZIP code identifies a postal delivery area for mail. An area code is the three-digit prefix on a US telephone number identifying a telephone region. They cover different territories and are never interchangeable.

What are the extra four digits in a ZIP+4?

They narrow the address down further, typically to a specific block, building or group of post office boxes. They are optional for senders but help mail get sorted and delivered more quickly.

Nearby words

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