a strong upright piece of wood, metal, etc., fixed in the ground to support something or mark a place
The farmer hammered a new post into the ground to mend the fence.
Lisa tied her bicycle to a lamp post before going into the shop.
a message, picture, or piece of information that someone puts on a website or social-media platform
Olivia wrote a long post about her travels on her blog.
The funny meme quickly became the most-liked post on the site.
to send a letter or parcel through the postal service
I need to post this package before the office closes.
She posted the application form yesterday.
to put a message, photo, etc., on a website or social-media platform
She loves to post photos of her cat on Instagram.
The company posted the new schedule on its website.
an official job or position of responsibility
He was offered the post of chief engineer at the factory.
After the election, she resigned from her ministerial post.
a place where someone, especially a guard or soldier, is assigned to stay and work
The guard stood at his post all night.
Nurses were already at their posts when the patients arrived.
decayed plant and food waste used to improve soil
The gardener spread compost around the tomato plants to help them grow.
Kitchen scraps can be turned into rich compost instead of going to the landfill.
✦ Late Middle English, from Old French 'composte', from Latin 'compositus' meaning ‘put together’.
to turn plant and food waste into compost
They decided to compost their vegetable peels rather than throw them away.
Farmers often compost manure before adding it to the fields.
✦ Derived from the noun ‘compost’, influenced by the idea of ‘putting together’ organic matter to decay.
one of two upright posts with a horizontal bar on top that together form the goal in sports such as soccer, American football, and rugby
The soccer player kicked the ball wide of the goalpost.
They painted the goalposts bright white for the new season.
✦ From early 19th century: 'goal' (the target in a game) + 'post' (an upright support).
a target, standard, or requirement that must be achieved, especially one that is changed unfairly after agreement (usually used in the plural as 'goalposts')
The manager moved the goalposts by adding new requirements at the last minute.
Negotiators accused them of moving the goalposts on the trade deal.
✦ Figurative extension from the literal sports sense in the late 20th century.
a post with a sign giving directions to travelers at a road or path junction.
The lost driver spotted a guidepost pointing to the highway.
Follow the guideposts along the hiking trail to reach the summit.
✦ Mid-19th century: from guide + post, originally referring to physical direction markers.
