telegraph

noun tele·graph \ ˈte-lə-ˌgraf \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

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

Carnegie began his ascent as a teenage messenger boy in a telegraph office.

— jonathan schifman, Popular Mechanics, "The Entire History of Steel," 9 July 2018
Another blast from the past is a working telegraph that taps out Morse code messages from freight trains.

— mayra cruz, Houston Chronicle, "Tomball to unveil model railroads that depict its history," 7 July 2018
Early the next morning, the Chicora left Milwaukee to return home, departing about 10 minutes before a messenger boy arrived at the dock with an urgent telegraph.

— ann zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "8 undiscovered shipwrecks of the Great Lakes," 22 June 2018
Meanwhile, vehicles that still offer stick shifts telegraph an image of high performance, toughness, nostalgia and fun—all factors that can seduce new customers.

— jonathan welsh, WSJ, "Yes, Cars Still Come With Stick—Here Are a Few New Favorites," 24 May 2018
Smoky gained fame during World War II by dragging a telegraph wire through a 70-foot pipe that was crucial to the Allies’ reconnaissance efforts against the Japanese.

— grant suneson and john harrington, USA TODAY, "The 25 most heroic dogs in America," 5 July 2018
In 1846, New York and Boston were linked by telegraph wires.

— BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 27 June 2018
On the captain’s fly bridge, naval maps flutter in spring breeze and the engine order telegraph is pointing at idle.

— Washington Post, "Ex-Yugo autocratic leader’s iconic yacht given new life," 23 May 2018
Or maybe not: The first manufactured devices actually used a couple of telegraph keys for the callers to tap out the numbers.

— darryl levings, kansascity, "Kansas City has been dialed in to telephone innovations from the very beginning," 2 June 2018

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: 1793

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

telegraph

verb

Definition of telegraph

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

play \tə-ˈle-grə-fər\ noun

—

telegraphist

play \tə-ˈle-grə-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

Its objections to Chequers will be carefully telegraphed and discreetly expressed in order not to hand further ammunition to Mrs May’s enemies.

— The Economist, "The EU digests Britain’s new Brexit plan," 11 July 2018
As in her moody sci-fi hit Arrival, Adams telegraphs a deep sadness that only grows as the story unspools.

— eliana dockterman, Time, "It’s Hard to Watch Sharp Objects, and Even Harder to Look Away," 28 June 2018
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of all is the way the film ends, by clearly telegraphing the setup for the third Jurassic World, which already has a 2021 release date.

— bryan bishop, The Verge, "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is a stunning disappointment," 22 June 2018
In this context, the latter piece functioned as a kind of overture, one that telegraphed both the darkness and yearning at the heart of the piece about to unfold.

— jeremy eichler, BostonGlobe.com, "Kafka encaged, writing to his father," 18 June 2018
Hamas has kept the pressure on Israel by at least telegraphing an embrace of nonviolence.

— Fox News, "Gaza's Hamas embraces 'non-violence' _ opportunism or shift?," 26 Apr. 2018
And, isn't Trump the one who blasted the likes of President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for supposedly telegraphing the United States' strategic moves?

— chris cillizza, CNN, "Why Donald Trump's 'Mission Accomplished' tweet is so tone deaf," 14 Apr. 2018
The president previously criticized the Obama administration for telegraphing its military moves in advance.

— paul sonne, Washington Post, "What did Trump mean when he said the U.S. missiles heading for Syria are ‘smart’?," 11 Apr. 2018
All Morrissey-esque song titles, telegraphing Drake’s unhappiness with his romantic life.

— refinery29.com, "Album Review: Drake Is Upset On Scorpion. Women Should Be Upset About Scorpion.," 2 July 2018

First Known Use of telegraph

1806

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

TELEGRAPH Defined for English Language Learners

telegraph

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.