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
Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 23 Mar. 2026
The first trans-Atlantic copper cable was a telegraph line installed in 1858 between the United States and Britain, according to history.com.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
And Kudrow will — and did — do everything for Cherish, starring in, co-writing and executive producing the show, which with each season has managed to telegraph major shifts in the industry.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
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Noun
The players received moves by telegraph, and sent responses back over wires that crossed the Atlantic.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 23 Mar. 2026
The first trans-Atlantic copper cable was a telegraph line installed in 1858 between the United States and Britain, according to history.com.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
Indeed, the president and those close to him seem to be telegraphing such an approach.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
And Kudrow will — and did — do everything for Cherish, starring in, co-writing and executive producing the show, which with each season has managed to telegraph major shifts in the industry.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
Cite this Entry
“Telegraph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telegraph. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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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