post

The word “post” means a long upright pole or beam, such as a fence post or lamppost. In plain terms, depending on context: an upright pole, a job, the mail system, an online update, or to send/publish/station something.

“Post” is pronounced pohst (/poʊst/ in IPA).

Here is “post” used in a sentence: “He tied the horse to a wooden post.”

Depending on how it is used, “post” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “post” comes from Latin. From Latin postis ("doorpost"), reaching English through Old English post and Old French post.

“Post” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Post” has 8 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long upright pole or beam, such as a fence post or lamppost.

Both are long and upright, but a post is usually fixed firmly in the ground to support or mark something, like a fence post or signpost, and is often square-cut. A pole tends to be taller, rounder, and sometimes movable, like a flagpole or ski pole. Posts anchor; poles more often just stand tall.

Posts are usually named by their job. A fence post holds up fencing; a gatepost carries a gate; a lamppost supports a street light; a signpost bears a sign; a goalpost marks a goal. Others include bedposts and the newel post at the foot of a staircase.

A wooden fence post driven into the ground is the classic example. So is the metal lamppost lighting a street, the gatepost a garden gate swings from, or the goalposts at each end of a football pitch. Each is an upright pole or beam that supports or marks something.