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

Stock printers received information about stock prices over telegraph wires and printed them out on a ribbon of paper—ticker tape. —Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 18 June 2026

Instead, scraps of ticker tape — ribbons of paper historically used to print real-time stock market data by telegraph — were used, and the parade got its name. —Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 18 June 2026

Verb

The design through-lines are sophistication and elegance, but if the public spaces telegraph a bit of moody mystery the private ones are refreshingly straightforward; the kind of rooms that bring a sense of ease and feel wonderful to come back to after a day on the town. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 June 2026

Another big contender for most crowded stand at Esxence, Avau installed a metal kitchen at the trade show to telegraph the place where family and friends reunite and its mission of offering a taste of Italy. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 9 June 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