star route: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Archaic/Historical)Historical / Technical (Postal Services)
Quick answer
What does “star route” mean?
A mail delivery route serviced by a private contractor rather than a government postal employee, often in rural or less accessible areas.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mail delivery route serviced by a private contractor rather than a government postal employee, often in rural or less accessible areas.
Historically, in the US postal system, a route where contractors were paid based on the service required and the distance, not a fixed salary. The term is largely historical but signifies outsourced or contracted delivery services.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an American historical term. The UK had analogous systems (e.g., 'bypost' or contracted services) but did not use this specific term.
Connotations
US: Historical efficiency, privatization, serving remote areas. UK: Not applicable; a purely US historical concept.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern English. Confined to historical discussions of the US Postal Service.
Grammar
How to Use “star route” in a Sentence
[The Post Office] established a star route to [location].[Contractor] bid for the star route.The star route served [area].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “star route” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- The route was star-routed to reduce costs. (historical, rare)
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- The mail was delivered star-route. (rare)
adjective
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- The star-route contractor delivered mail by horse.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Historical reference to logistics and service contracting.
Academic
Used in historical studies of transportation, postal services, and US government operations.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Specific to historical US postal service terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “star route”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “star route”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “star route”
- Using it to refer to any main or important route (a 'star' route).
- Using it in a modern context.
- Confusing it with 'Stagecoach route' or 'Pony Express'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a historical term. Modern contracted delivery services are not called 'star routes'.
Because an asterisk (*) was placed next to these routes on official Post Office documents and contracts.
Not exactly. The Pony Express was a specific, famous private mail service. Star routes were a broader system of government contracts for mail delivery on established routes.
Only in a very specific historical analogy. It is not part of active modern vocabulary and would likely cause confusion.
A mail delivery route serviced by a private contractor rather than a government postal employee, often in rural or less accessible areas.
Star route is usually historical / technical (postal services) in register.
Star route: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɑː ˌruːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɑr ˌraʊt/ / ˈstɑr ˌruːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a star (*) on a map marking a special, privately-run mail route to remote areas.
Conceptual Metaphor
SERVICE IS A PATH (A route is a path for delivering service).
Practice
Quiz
What was a 'star route' primarily?