telegraph

1 of 3

noun (1)

tele·​graph ˈte-lə-ˌgraf How to pronounce telegraph (audio)
Synonyms of telegraphnext
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 3

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 How to pronounce telegraph (audio)
noun
telegraphist
tə-ˈle-grə-fist How to pronounce telegraph (audio)
noun

telegrapher

3 of 3

noun (2)

te·​leg·​ra·​pher tə̇ˈlegrəfə(r) How to pronounce telegrapher (audio)
ˈteləˌgrafə(r), 
-raaf-, 
-raif-, 
-rȧf-
plural -s
: one that sends and receives telegraphic messages : telegraphic operator

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
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
While Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone put out paid-to-the-telegraph boys of old, these roles were soon replaced by legions of telephone operators. — Rupert Lee-Browne, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 There were wide-scale nationalizations of rail, telephone, telegraph and to a lesser degree ocean shipping. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 1 July 2026
Verb
And Damien simply, slowly smiles, immediately telegraphing that little obstacles like someone already occupying the position will not be a problem for very long. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026 But my point is that, right up front, these messages telegraph insecurity, pleading, chagrin. — Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for telegraph

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Noun (2)

French télégraphe, from télé- tele- (from Greek tēle-) + -graphe -graph

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Phrases Containing telegraph

Rhymes for telegraph

See All Rhymes for telegraph

Browse Nearby Words

telegrammic
telegraph
telegraph block
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Telegraph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telegraph. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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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
tə-ˈleg-rə-fər How to pronounce telegraph (audio)
noun
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