telegraph

1 of 2

noun

tele·​graph ˈte-lə-ˌgraf 

1

: an apparatus for communication at a distance by coded signals

especially : an apparatus, system, or process for communication at a distance by electric transmission over wire

2

: telegram

telegraph

2 of 2

verb

telegraphed; telegraphing; telegraphs

transitive verb

1

a

: to send or communicate by or as if by telegraph

b

: to send a telegram to

c

: to send by means of a telegraphic order

2

: to make known by signs especially unknowingly and in advance

telegrapher

tə-ˈle-grə-fər 

noun

telegraphist

tə-ˈle-grə-fist 

noun

Examples of telegraph in a Sentence

Noun

I sent the message by telegraph.

Verb

He telegraphed a message to her.

Please telegraph when you get there.

Please telegraph me when you get there.

The look on her face telegraphed bad news.

He lost the boxing match because he was telegraphing his punches.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Thoreau wasn’t impressed by the laying of the transatlantic telegraph cable, Henley notes. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026

Thoreau wasn’t impressed by the laying of the transatlantic telegraph cable, Henley notes. —Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026

Verb

But, as has been widely discussed, putting US boots on the ground would carry enormous risks, not least because possible ground operations have been telegraphed by Washington for weeks, while apparently unprepared US forces scattered across the world have been slowly amassed. —Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026

In place of ubiquitous black-nylon rollers, attention-grabbing suitcases that telegraph wealth and taste are now de rigueur in private hangars and public concourses. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French télégraphe, from télé- tele- (from Greek tēle-) + -graphe -graph

First Known Use

Noun

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing telegraph

• telegraph pole

Rhymes for telegraph

• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph
• hodograph
• holograph
• hydrograph
• lithograph
• micrograph
• monograph

Kids Definition

telegraph

1 of 2 noun

tele·​graph ˈtel-ə-ˌgraf 

: an electric device or system for sending messages by a code over wires

telegraphic

ˌtel-ə-ˈgraf-ik

adjective

telegraphically

-ˈgraf-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

telegraph

2 of 2 verb

1

: to send by or as if by telegraph

telegraphed a message

2

: to send a telegram to

telegraphed home for money

telegrapher

tə-ˈleg-rə-fər 

noun