telegram

1 of 2

noun

tele·​gram ˈte-lə-ˌgram How to pronounce telegram (audio)
 Southern also  -grəm
: a telegraphic dispatch

telegram

2 of 2

verb

tele·​gram ˈte-lə-ˌgram How to pronounce telegram (audio)
telegrammed; telegramming

Examples of telegram in a Sentence

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
Pope Francis, who remains hospitalized in Rome for treatment, sent a telegram to Bishop Kiro Stojanov in Skopje, North Macedonia, expressing his condolences, according to the Vatican. David Brennan, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2025 The telegram is expected to fetch from $1,000 to $2,000. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 Siegfried returns from Biggins’s, and the last part of his very bad day is when Mrs. Hall hands him a telegram. Alice Burton, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2025 With that, the researchers could now send and receive telegrams in their lab. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for telegram

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1852, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of telegram was circa 1852

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Cite this Entry

“Telegram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telegram. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

telegram

noun
tele·​gram
ˈtel-ə-ˌgram,
 Southern also  -grəm
: a message sent by telegraph

More from Merriam-Webster on telegram

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