General Post Office
/ˈdʒɛn(ə)rəl ˌpəst ɒfɪs/ /ˈdʒɛn(ə)r(ə)l ˌpəst ɒfɪs/noun
1Originally and chiefly British. The central office established in London with responsibility for the collection and dispatch of mail; (in extended use) the department responsible for the mail service of the United Kingdom (also during the 20th cent. for telecommunications). Abbreviated G.P.O. Now historical.
- The G.P.O. as a department of state was abolished in 1969 and became the Post Office; in 2002 the latter adopted the name Royal Mail..
2The main post office in a town or city. Formerly also: †any post office which receives letters for transmission by the general post (obsolete ).
Origin
Mid 17th century. From general + post office. Compare later general post.