adresse

Adresse is the term used in French and in several contexts to refer to the location at which a person or organization can be reached, as well as the data used to contact or locate them. In English, the cognate is address.

Etymology: The word derives from Old French, from the idea of directing or reaching someone or something; the sense of a location for contact developed in medieval and early modern usage.

Applications: Physical or mailing addresses identify where mail should be delivered, while digital addresses identify electronic destinations. Other address forms include IP addresses, MAC addresses, and URLs, which function as network or resource addresses.

Components and formats: A typical mailing address includes recipient name, street address or P.O. box, city or locality, postal code, and country. Formats differ by country: examples include the United States (street number, street, city, state, ZIP), the United Kingdom (house number, street, locality, town, postcode), and France (street number, street name, postal code, commune).

Use and considerations: Address data are personal data and are subject to privacy and data-protection rules. Accurate address capture and standardization aid logistics, billing, and navigation, while incorrect addresses can cause delays. Verification and geocoding are common techniques to improve reliability.