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
Jeffrey Sullivan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Many of you are employed as telephone or telegraph operators: well, slow down the pace of your work, and slow down the Germans and the fascists.
—Ann Goldstein, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
But clearing the House is just the first hurdle for the bill, which will also have to pass muster with a Senate Republican conference that is already telegraphing that changes to it are coming.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
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Noun
When Alexander Bain invented the first fax machine in the 1840s, it was used to scan images—both photographs and handwritten text—and send them over telegraph lines.
—Jeffrey Sullivan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Many of you are employed as telephone or telegraph operators: well, slow down the pace of your work, and slow down the Germans and the fascists.
—Ann Goldstein, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, 81% of white adults and 76% of total respondents telegraphed satisfaction — largely on par with previous years.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
But clearing the House is just the first hurdle for the bill, which will also have to pass muster with a Senate Republican conference that is already telegraphing that changes to it are coming.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
Cite this Entry
“Telegraph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telegraph. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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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