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
telegraphed; telegraphing; telegraphs
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
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
IEEE Spectrum, 9 June 2025
But the point was connecting that sound signal with a telegraph, making the machines electro-acoustic, as with an electric guitar.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 May 2025
David Folkenflik, NPR, 2 July 2025
Building off the deep lore of the first film and ending on a cliffhanger that telegraphs its creators are crossing their fingers for a third film, The Old Guard 2 is an extension of a story that takes your investment in these people, concepts, and situations.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
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Noun
The e-book introduces readers to the inventor of the telegraph, Samuel Morse.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 June 2025
But the point was connecting that sound signal with a telegraph, making the machines electro-acoustic, as with an electric guitar.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 May 2025
Verb
The payout came as no surprise; corporate executives had telegraphed that there would certainly be a settlement.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 2 July 2025
Building off the deep lore of the first film and ending on a cliffhanger that telegraphs its creators are crossing their fingers for a third film, The Old Guard 2 is an extension of a story that takes your investment in these people, concepts, and situations.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
Cite this Entry
“Telegraph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telegraph. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
adjective
ˌtel-ə-ˈgraf-ik
telegraphically
adverb
-ˈgraf-i-k(ə-)lē
telegraph
2 of 2 verb1
: to send by or as if by telegraph
telegraphed a message
2
: to send a telegram to
telegraphed home for money
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