telegraphy

noun

te·​leg·​ra·​phy tə-ˈle-grə-fē How to pronounce telegraphy (audio)
: the use or operation of a telegraph apparatus or system for communication

Examples of telegraphy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Field became interested in telegraphy after meeting electrical engineer Frederic Newton Gisborne in 1854. Robert Klara, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024 Most of his inventions dealt with electric railways and telegraphy. IEEE Spectrum, 27 Aug. 2023 As early as 1909, Jordan and the head of his civil engineering department gave a recent alum access to the school’s high voltage laboratory, facilitating the creation of a long-range telegraphy company and ultimately making Stanford a hub for the burgeoning radio industry. Scott W. Stern, The New Republic, 6 Feb. 2023 What about telegraphy? Tom Mullaney, Quartz, 29 May 2021 Sir William Brooke O’Shaughnessy (1808–1889), MD, FRS, LRCS Ed: Chemical pathologist, pharmacologist and pioneer in electric telegraphy. Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016 By telegraphy, Chicago’s need for fire engines could be known seconds after a telegrapher sent short and long bursts of electricity across a wire, which his counterpart at the other end would read as SOS. Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2023 Considering how telegraphy helped Chicago prosper, the city’s movers and shakers had a stake in improving it. Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2023 Without Morse’s contributions to the development of telegraphy, Joseph Medill would have had less of a city to preside over. Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'telegraphy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of telegraphy was in 1794

Dictionary Entries Near telegraphy

Cite this Entry

“Telegraphy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telegraphy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

telegraphy

noun
te·​leg·​ra·​phy tə-ˈleg-rə-fē How to pronounce telegraphy (audio)
: the use or operation of a telegraph system or equipment

More from Merriam-Webster on telegraphy

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