telegraph

play

noun tele·graph \-ˌgraf\

Definition of telegraph

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

See telegraph defined for English-language learners

See telegraph defined for kids

Examples of telegraph in a Sentence

I sent the message by telegraph.

Recent Examples of telegraph from the Web

Details of the interior, from the telegraph station to the copper pump fire extinguishers have all been restored or re-created.

— zachariah durr, cleveland.com, "WWII-era Boeing B-17 takes flight at Burke Lakefront Airport this weekend," 17 July 2017
In 1859, a solar storm turned night into day around the world while downing telegraph systems.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'When the English Fall' imagines Amish as survivors of dystopian disaster," 15 July 2017
For towns away from the telegraph lines, however, the news moved in more slowly.

— ben panko, Smithsonian, "Watch How (Slowly) News of the Declaration of Independence Spread in Real Time," 11 July 2017
Steve McMahon, Andrew Jarema and DJ Hedgepath deliver heartfelt reminders of the men and their lives lost as Thomas Andrews (the ship designer), band leader Wallace Hartley and telegraph operator Harold Bride, respectively.

— jim rutter, Philly.com, "Pitman, N.J. musical is 'Titanic' achievement," 9 July 2017
It was installed down the hall in the telegraph room, less than a year after Alexander Graham Bell patented his telephone prototype.

— gillian brockell, Washington Post, "A catalogue of White House technological upgrades: Flushing toilets, a phone line, air conditioning. Oh, and Twitter.," 28 June 2017
A 1920 article in the Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, for example, highlighted a debate over whether to replace telegraph alarms with telephone alarms.

— ernie smith, Popular Mechanics, "The Curious History of the 911 Emergency System," 28 June 2017
The rapid jaunt of Morse code dots and dashes Nick Yokanovich tapped out on his telegraph sounder carried across the field on the sluggish summer wind like an echo from another time.

— frederick n. rasmussen, baltimoresun.com, "Radio operators gather in Howard County for national drill," 24 June 2017
Morse gave up painting soon thereafter and went on to his second career: helping to invent the telegraph and Morse code.

— susan dunne, courant.com, "Massive 'Gallery Of The Louvre' By Sam Morse At NBMAA," 23 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'telegraph.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of telegraph

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1794

See Words from the same year

telegraph

verb tele·graph

Definition of telegraph

transitive verb
1a : to send or communicate by or as if by telegraphb : to send a telegram toc : to send by means of a telegraphic order
2 : to make known by signs especially unknowingly and in advance

telegrapher

play \tə-ˈle-grə-fər\ noun

telegraphist

play \-fist\ noun

See telegraph defined for English-language learners

Examples of telegraph in a Sentence

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 of telegraph from the Web

This morning, the Rockets acquired Chris Paul in a trade that was only faintly telegraphed beforehand.

— nathaniel friedman, GQ, "How Does Chris Paul Fit in with the Houston Rockets?," 28 June 2017
By failing to disclose the voting results during today’s shareowner meeting, Mylan’s board telegraphed that directors faced strong opposition.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Shareholders fail to oust Mylan board, but down-voted massive salaries," 22 June 2017
The move was telegraphed earlier this month as Kahl, 50, took a turn on the stage at Carnegie Hall in New York to promote CBS’ new fall schedule to advertisers.

— meg james, latimes.com, "CBS shake-up: Kahl and Sherman promoted into top leadership roles as Geller exits," 30 May 2017
Every room telegraphs a feeling of calm, ordered minimalism, and a connection to nature, with simple furnishings and décor done largely in teak with bronze accents.

— andrew sessa, CNT, "The World’s First Nobu Ryokan Debuts in Malibu This Week," 27 Apr. 2017
Her fashion philosophy might not telegraph this, but lately Williams has been working on loosening up.

— danielle stein chizzik, Town & Country, "Ivy League Siren: Allison Williams," 6 Mar. 2013

First Known Use of telegraph

1805

TELEGRAPH Defined for English Language Learners

telegraph

play

noun

Definition of telegraph for English Language Learners

: an old-fashioned system of sending messages over long distances by using wires and electrical signals
: a device used for sending or receiving messages by telegraph

telegraph

verb

Definition of telegraph for English Language Learners

: to send (a message) by telegraph
: to send a telegram to (someone)
: to make (something that you are about to do or say) obvious or apparent by the way you move, look, etc.