US Postal Inspection Service
- proper noun
- The US Postal Inspection Service is responsible for investigating crimes that involve the mail.
Examples
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The US Postal Inspection Service is investigating the mail fraud case.
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After the package was stolen, she reported the incident to the US Postal Inspection Service.
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Employees were trained to recognize suspicious packages with help from the US Postal Inspection Service.
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Did you know that the US Postal Inspection Service handles more than just mail theft?
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After the package was stolen, she reported the incident to the US Postal Inspection Service.
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The US Postal Inspection Service is responsible for investigating crimes that involve the mail.
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Employees were trained to recognize suspicious packages with help from the US Postal Inspection Service.
Synonyms
Federal officers who protect the mail, postal workers, and customers
Surface Forms
Morphology
US + postal + inspection + service
The term is fully compositional: 'US' (United States) + 'postal' (relating to mail) + 'inspection' (official examination) + 'service' (an organization) clearly indicates a U.S. organization that inspects or examines postal matters. This agency-style naming is common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer it refers to an official body that oversees/investigates mail-related issues.
Etymology
US Postal Inspection Service got its name from old mail inspectors who checked bags and caught thieves. The word postal means mail and inspection means checking, so the name now means the government agency that 'investigates' crimes and 'protects' the mail.