telegram

American  

[tel-i-gram] / ˈtɛl ɪˌgræm /

noun

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

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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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• telegrammatic
  adjective
• telegrammic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of telegram

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

Explanation

A telegram is a message sent by a telegraph, which is also called a wire. Over time, there have been many means of communicating, such as messenger pigeon, telephone, text message, letter, and email. Another is the telegram, which is a message sent by a telegraph. People often said a telegram was sent "by wire" because the sender and receiver of telegrams were connected by a wire. The electric telegraph has been around since the late 1800's. In the Civil War, important information was sent by telegram, which was the speediest means of communication.

Related Words

• summons
• telegraph