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
te·leg·ra·phist
tə̇ˈlegrəfə̇st
ˈteləˌgrafə̇st,
-raaf-,
-raif-,
-rȧf-
plural -s
: one skilled in telegraphy : telegrapher
Examples of telegraph in a Sentence
Noun (1)
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
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
As America’s territory grew larger, the telegraph in effect made the country smaller, counteracting the slow communications the Founders had counted on.
—Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
Her decision, which had been telegraphed but became official with her late Tuesday submittal of a resignation letter, drew a rebuke from some traditional Democratic backers.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
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Noun
The telegraph office at the New Orleans Square train station played a continuous morse code message that replayed Walt Disney’s opening day Disneyland dedication from 1955.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
As America’s territory grew larger, the telegraph in effect made the country smaller, counteracting the slow communications the Founders had counted on.
—Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Verb
Free Press founder Weiss, who joined CBS last October, had long telegraphed that major changes were afoot in an effort to remake 60 Minutes under a new ownership regime led by Paramount CEO David Ellison.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
Her decision, which had been telegraphed but became official with her late Tuesday submittal of a resignation letter, drew a rebuke from some traditional Democratic backers.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 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 12 Jun. 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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