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
telegraphed; telegraphing; telegraphs
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
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
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
The Crimean War also marked the first military application of the telegraph and the first salvo of naval gunfire using exploding shells.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 30 Apr. 2025
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2025
The club’s summer transfer business had telegraphed this may be coming, but the 4-3-3 formation does seem to be the current direction of travel that Farke is taking his team in.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
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Noun
New Jersey’s historic Camp Evans was trashed by vandals who police say broke 17 windows and damaged a garage at the former wireless telegraph station that played a pivotal role during World War II.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
The Crimean War also marked the first military application of the telegraph and the first salvo of naval gunfire using exploding shells.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
This time, the ending was so telegraphed, there was little point coming back from the intermission.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2025
The club’s summer transfer business had telegraphed this may be coming, but the 4-3-3 formation does seem to be the current direction of travel that Farke is taking his team in.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
Cite this Entry
“Telegraph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telegraph. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
adjective
ˌtel-ə-ˈgraf-ik
telegraphically
adverb
-ˈgraf-i-k(ə-)lē
telegraph
2 of 2 verb1
: to send by or as if by telegraph
telegraphed a message
2
: to send a telegram to
telegraphed home for money
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