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
Adithi Ramakrishnan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
The Titanic’s owner, the White Star Line, chartered the Mackay-Bennett, a steamer normally used for repairing trans-Atlantic telegraph cables, to retrieve as many bodies as possible.
—Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Paul Dehner Jr., New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
How the pope’s funeral format allowed for Trump-Zelensky talk
The meeting occurred just outside the Baptistry Chapel, which is inside St. Peter’s Basilica near its entrance, and the talk hadn’t been telegraphed in advance.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
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Noun
In 1859, a severe solar storm triggered auroras as far south as Hawaii and caught telegraph lines on fire in a rare event.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
The Titanic’s owner, the White Star Line, chartered the Mackay-Bennett, a steamer normally used for repairing trans-Atlantic telegraph cables, to retrieve as many bodies as possible.
—Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
The picks might have been telegraphed, and certainly neither could be surprised by what transpired, but the writing for their situations is on the wall now.
—Paul Dehner Jr., New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
How the pope’s funeral format allowed for Trump-Zelensky talk
The meeting occurred just outside the Baptistry Chapel, which is inside St. Peter’s Basilica near its entrance, and the talk hadn’t been telegraphed in advance.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 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 12 May. 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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