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telegram

American  
[tel-i-gram] / ˈtɛl ɪˌgræm /

noun

  1. a message or communication sent by telegraph; a telegraphic dispatch.

verb (used with or without object)

telegrammed, telegramming

  1. to telegraph.

telegram British  
/ ˈtɛlɪˌɡræm, ˌtɛlɪɡrəˈmætɪk /

noun

  1. a communication transmitted by telegraph See also cable Telemessage

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • telegrammatic adjective
  • telegrammic adjective

Etymology

Origin of telegram

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; tele- 1 + -gram 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A telegram from King George VI was read aloud:

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2025

A telegram addressed to Violet was found in her room.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2024

Posters in Detroit depicting a military man resembling Hitler were ordered, by telegram, to be destroyed.

From New York Times • May 30, 2024

While serving in the Navy in 1919, Wallace got a telegram from Carewe to come to Hollywood, where he began work as a second-unit director on his brother’s films.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2024

During the spring of 1853, Maggie and Elisha kept in touch by letter and telegram.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.