special delivery

noun

Synonyms of special deliverynext
: expedited messenger delivery of mail matter for an extra fee

Examples of special delivery in a Sentence

She sent him a letter by special delivery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The removable tape sticks securely and adds a pop of color to all your special deliveries. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 13 Feb. 2026 That is why other companies have been working on bigger drones and special delivery setups. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026 Saks also unveiled several holiday window displays, including a snowman with a Christmas tree and presents on a mission to make a special delivery. — Dave Carlin, CBS News, 24 Nov. 2025 Several Kiwanis Club of Ramona members arrived at three Ramona schools the Monday before school started with a special delivery of school supplies. — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for special delivery

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of special delivery was in 1865

Rhymes for special delivery

See All Rhymes for special delivery

Browse Nearby Words

special damage
special delivery
special deputy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Special delivery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20delivery. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

special delivery

noun
: delivery of mail by messenger for an extra fee

More from Merriam-Webster on special delivery

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for special delivery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All