telegram

1 of 2

noun

tele·​gram ˈte-lə-ˌgram How to pronounce telegram (audio)
 Southern also  -grəm
: a telegraphic dispatch

telegram

2 of 2

verb

tele·​gram ˈte-lə-ˌgram How to pronounce telegram (audio)
telegrammed; telegramming

Examples of telegram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Rahman photographed the documents and sent them to an unauthorized viewer via the telegram messaging app. Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025 But the continued delays put Morrison under pressure, with deadlines and major bouts rolling by and Morrison chasing the two with telegrams pleading for chapter drafts. Melina Moe may 19, Literary Hub, 19 May 2025 Among the standout items is a telegram sent by survivor Lucy Ridsdale from the rescue ship Carpathia, a piece that offers a deeply personal connection to the disaster. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 Within roughly 18 hours, billions of particles emitted from the sun struck the Earth, sending navigation devices haywire and disrupting telegram systems. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for telegram

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1852, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of telegram was circa 1852

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Cite this Entry

“Telegram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telegram. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

telegram

noun
tele·​gram
ˈtel-ə-ˌgram,
 Southern also  -grəm
: a message sent by telegraph

More from Merriam-Webster on telegram

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