graph

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈgraf 

1

: a diagram (such as a series of one or more points, lines, line segments, curves, or areas) that represents the variation of a variable in comparison with that of one or more other variables

2

: the collection of all points whose coordinates satisfy a given relation (such as a function)

3

: a collection of vertices and edges that join pairs of vertices

graph

2 of 4

verb

graphed; graphing; graphs

transitive verb

1

: to represent by a graph

2

: to plot on a graph

graph

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

: a written or printed representation of a basic unit of speech (such as a phoneme or syllable)

especially : grapheme sense 1

2

: a single occurrence of a letter of an alphabet in any of its various shapes

-graph

4 of 4

noun combining form

1

: something written or drawn

monograph

2

[French -graphe, from Late Latin -graphus] : instrument for making or transmitting records or images

chronograph

Examples of graph in a Sentence

Verb

Students were asked to graph each equation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Where traditional data models assume structure, graphs assume relationships. —Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Readers in grades five through 12 compete in those, plus a speed and accuracy contest and in reading charts and graphs. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 27 June 2025

Verb

The easy-to-handle tiles help toddlers recognize colors, number graphing, build patterns, and shape puzzles. —Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 10 July 2025

With something called the forest matrix: In 2014, the Parks Department divided its natural areas into 1,156 plots and graphed the conditions in each one, with forest health on the vertical axis, ecological threat on the horizontal. —Robert Sullivan, Curbed, 9 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

short for graphic formula

Noun (2)

probably from -graph

Noun combining form

Latin -graphum, from Greek -graphon, from neuter of -graphos written, from graphein to write — more at carve

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing graph

• bar graph
• circle graph
• graph paper
• graph theory
• line graph

Rhymes for graph

• calf
• chaff
• gaff
• graff
• graph
• haff
• half
• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph

Kids Definition

graph

1 of 3 noun

ˈgraf 

1

: the collection of all the points whose coordinates are a solution to an equation

the graph of y = x²

2

: a diagram that shows (as by dots or lines) the change in one variable in comparison with that of one or more other variables

a graph of population growth

graph

2 of 3 verb

: to represent by or plot on a graph

graph each equation

-graph

3 of 3 noun combining form

ˌgraf

: something written or drawn

homograph

Etymology

Noun combining form

derived from Greek -graphon "something written," from -graphos "written," from graphein "to write" — related to graffito, -gram

Medical Definition

graph

1 of 2 noun

ˈgraf 

: a diagram (as a series of one or more points, lines, line segments, curves, or areas) that represents the variation of a variable in comparison with that of one or more other variables

graphic

ˈgraf-ik 

adjective

graph

2 of 2 transitive verb

1

: to represent by a graph

2

: to plot on a graph