postman

A postman is a person who delivers mail to residences and businesses within a postal system. In some countries the term mail carrier, letter carrier, or courier is used. Duties typically include collecting outgoing mail from customers, sorting inbound mail at a local post office, and delivering letters, parcels, and other postal items along a designated route. In addition to mail delivery, postmen may provide basic customer service, obtain signatures for deliveries, and report undeliverable items.

Historically, postmen have played a central role in communication networks, with routes established to ensure regular service. The job often requires knowledge of local geography, compliance with postal regulations, and adherence to security procedures. In many jurisdictions, drivers use service vehicles, bicycles, or on-foot routes, and may wear a uniform with insignia indicating their employer.

In the modern era, advances in automation, parcel growth, and digital communications have changed logistics. Postal workers may work with automated sorting facilities, use handheld scanners to track deliveries, and coordinate with parcel lockers and last-mile carriers. The role can involve safety considerations and weather exposure, with varying hours including early-morning or weekend shifts.

Postman also refers to a software tool used by developers for API design and testing. The Postman platform allows users to create and send HTTP requests, organize them into collections, define environments, run automated tests, and generate documentation. It supports collaboration, mock servers, monitoring, and integration with version control and CI/CD workflows.