[air-meyl] 
| 1. | the system, esp. a government postal system, of sending mail by airplane. |
| 2. | a letter, package, etc., sent by this system. |
| 3. | a stamp authorizing delivery of mail by this system. |
| 4. | of or pertaining to airmail. |
| 5. | by airmail: Send all overseas letters airmail. |
| 6. | to send via airmail: I airmailed the package yesterday. |
| air·mail (âr'māl') tr.v. air·mailed, air·mail·ing, air·mails To send (a letter, for example) by air. adj. Of, relating to, or for use with air mail. n. air mail also airmail
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airmail
letters and parcels transported by airplanes. Airmail service was initiated in 1911 in England between Hendon (northwest of London) and Windsor, to celebrate the coronation of George V. Service was irregular, however, and only 21 trips were made. Continuous regular air transport of letters between London and Paris was established in 1919, and a similar service for parcels in 1921. Other European air links soon followed. Regular airmail service in the United States was begun in 1918 between Washington, D.C., and New York City, using War Department planes and pilots. The first transcontinental airmail service was established in 1920, between San Francisco and New York City.
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