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
IEEE Spectrum, 9 June 2025
But the point was connecting that sound signal with a telegraph, making the machines electro-acoustic, as with an electric guitar.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 May 2025
Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 June 2025
While the arrangement still needs to be approved by the federal government, executives at both airlines are telegraphing optimism about the prospects.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
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Noun
The e-book introduces readers to the inventor of the telegraph, Samuel Morse.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 June 2025
But the point was connecting that sound signal with a telegraph, making the machines electro-acoustic, as with an electric guitar.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 May 2025
Verb
Come to find, the emotional authenticity matters even more, since actors can’t telegraph what their characters are feeling quite so broadly as CG Vikings do.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 June 2025
While the arrangement still needs to be approved by the federal government, executives at both airlines are telegraphing optimism about the prospects.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 2 June 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 26 Jun. 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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