Meaning & use
diplomatic pouch
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A sealed container used by a government to send official documents or items to its embassies, which cannot be opened or searched by the receiving country.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a diplomatic pouch' or 'diplomatic pouches'.
Patterns
- send something by diplomatic pouch
- arrive in a diplomatic pouch
The classified documents were sent to the embassy by diplomatic pouch.
The ambassador received a diplomatic pouch containing new instructions.
Customs officials cannot open a diplomatic pouch without permission.
noununcountable
The right or system that allows such a container to pass without inspection.
Grammar: Uncountable: used without 'a' or 'the' when referring to the system, e.g. 'under diplomatic pouch'.
Patterns
- under diplomatic pouch
- use diplomatic pouch
The goods were shipped under diplomatic pouch to avoid customs delays.
The treaty allows for the use of diplomatic pouch for sensitive materials.
Word forms
| plural | diplomatic pouches |
|---|
Common combinations
- send something by diplomatic pouch
- They sent the report by diplomatic pouch to ensure its security.
- arrive in a diplomatic pouch
- The new passports arrived in a diplomatic pouch yesterday.
- sealed diplomatic pouch
- The sealed diplomatic pouch was delivered directly to the foreign ministry.
- diplomatic pouch service
- The diplomatic pouch service operates between the capital and key embassies.
Synonyms and how they differ
- diplomatic bag
- The usual British term for the same container; 'diplomatic pouch' is more common in American English.
- courier
- A person who carries items, not the container itself; a courier may carry a diplomatic pouch.
Word family
- diplomat noun
- A person who represents their country abroad.
- diplomatic adjective
- Relating to diplomats or international relations.
Commonly confused: diplomatic pouch or diplomatic immunity?
diplomatic pouch vs diplomatic immunity
Diplomatic immunity is the legal protection given to diplomats; a diplomatic pouch is the container that also has protection from inspection.
Practice
The embassy received a sealed ______ containing confidential documents.
Choose one answer.
A 'diplomatic pouch' is a container for sending official documents. 'Diplomatic immunity' is legal protection, 'diplomatic relations' are political ties, and 'diplomatic corps' is the group of diplomats.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “diplomatic pouch”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.