telegraph

1 of 2

noun

tele·​graph ˈte-lə-ˌgraf How to pronounce telegraph (audio)
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

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 noun
telegraphist 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
During postal and railway strikes in France in 1909 and 1910, for instance, saboteurs cut signal wires and tore down telegraph posts. Thomas Rid, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2013 The photocells converted that light to an electric current and transported it via telegraph lines to flip a switch that illuminated Chicago. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024
Verb
The 1995 remake of Miracle on 34th Street hits all the same notes as the 1947 original but is bigger, broader, and more obviously telegraphed. Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024 The filing was not telegraphed to investors beforehand and came as a surprise to traders not expecting it on Election Day, the very day the former president and Trump Media majority owner squares off against Vice President Kamala Harris. Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for telegraph 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of telegraph was in 1793

Dictionary Entries Near telegraph

Cite this Entry

“Telegraph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telegraph. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

telegraph

1 of 2 noun
tele·​graph ˈtel-ə-ˌgraf How to pronounce telegraph (audio)
: 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 noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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