Definition of the word zip code

The term "zip code" is an acronym that stands for Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) Code. This term was coined by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in the 1960s as a way to simplify the sorting and delivery of mail. Before the introduction of zip codes, mail was sorted and delivered based on city and state. This system was inefficient and caused delays in the delivery of mail. To speed up the process, the USPS initiated the ZIP Code pilot program in 1963 in Boston, Massachusetts. The program aimed to assign unique numeric codes to different sections of a city, making it easier for postal workers to sort and deliver mail quickly and accurately. The program was a success, and the USPS expanded it nationwide in 1963. The first set of zip codes included three digits, followed by a hyphen and four digits. The first digits represented a broad geographic area, while the second digits represented more specific sections within that area. This system streamlined the sorting and delivery of mail, allowing the USPS to handle a larger volume of mail in a shorter amount of time. Today, zip codes continue to play a crucial role in the efficient and timely delivery of mail in the United States.