telegraph

1 of 2

noun

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 2

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

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

Noun

In a nod to the nearby Panama Canal, the hotel’s nautical touches (like a yellow engine telegraph and black-and-white construction photos) flow well with the original French colonial design, giving the place a real sense of historical elegance. — Demarco Williams, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

By the early 1850s, regional telegraph networks connected major population centers, but communication between the United States and Europe still depended on ocean voyages. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026

Verb

Most finishes of this kind are reactive, split-second adjustments, whereas Ballard appears to telegraph the strike long before the ball reaches him. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

The special statute would appear to stop in its tracks opposition efforts like the one telegraphed by Chatten-Brown Law Group. — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

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