# postilion

> English word · Noun · IPA /pɒˈstɪlɪən/

## Definitions
1. A rider mounted on the near (left) leading horse who guides the team pulling a carriage.
2. A post-boy, a messenger boy, a swift letter carrier.

## Etymology
From Middle French postillon, and its likely source, Italian postiglione (“guide for driver of post-coach”), from posta (“post”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/postilion