telegraph

1 of 3

noun (1)

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 3

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

telegrapher

3 of 3

noun (2)

te·​leg·​ra·​pher tə̇ˈlegrəfə(r) 

ˈteləˌgrafə(r), 

-raaf-, 

-raif-, 

-rȧf-

plural -s

: one that sends and receives telegraphic messages : telegraphic operator

Examples of telegraph in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

The telegraph office at the New Orleans Square train station played a continuous morse code message that replayed Walt Disney’s opening day Disneyland dedication from 1955. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 9 June 2026

As America’s territory grew larger, the telegraph in effect made the country smaller, counteracting the slow communications the Founders had counted on. —Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026

Verb

Another big contender for most crowded stand at Esxence, Avau installed a metal kitchen at the trade show to telegraph the place where family and friends reunite and its mission of offering a taste of Italy. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 9 June 2026

Cody's win was telegraphed almost from the very start, and there was little-to-no resistance to the Committee alliance, especially after Janelle and Kaysar were booted so early. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Noun (2)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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