| postmaster general | |
| —n , pl postmasters general | |
| the executive head of the postal service in certain countries | |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
The head of the United States Postal Service. Until 1970, the postmaster general was head of the federal Post Office Department and a member of the president's cabinet. In 1970, the Postal Service was set up as an independent agency in place of the Post Office Department. The Postal Service is operated like a private corporation, although postal workers receive the benefits of federal employees.