graph

¹

[graf]

noun

1. a diagram representing a system of connections or interrelations among two or more things by a number of distinctive dots, lines, bars, etc.

2. Mathematics.

   1. a series of points, discrete or continuous, forming a curve or surface, each of which represents a value of a given function.

   2. Also called linear graph. a network of lines connecting points.

3. a written symbol for an idea, a sound, or a linguistic expression.

4. Computers.,  a non-hierarchical data structure whose nodes store data elements and whose branches represent connections to other nodes in the structure.

verb (used with object)

1. Mathematics.,  to draw (a curve) as representing a given function.

2. to represent by means of a graph.

graph-

²

1. variant of grapho- before a vowel.

   grapheme.

-graph

³

1. a combining form meaning “drawn,” “written” (lithograph; monograph ); specialized in meaning to indicate the instrument rather than the written product of the instrument (telegraph; phonograph ).

graph

¹

/ ɡrɑːf, ɡræf /

noun

1. Also called: chart. a drawing depicting the relation between certain sets of numbers or quantities by means of a series of dots, lines, etc, plotted with reference to a set of axes See also bar graph

2. maths a drawing depicting a functional relation between two or three variables by means of a curve or surface containing only those points whose coordinates satisfy the relation

3. maths a structure represented by a diagram consisting of points (vertices) joined by lines (edges)

4. linguistics a symbol in a writing system not further subdivisible into other such symbols

verb

1. (tr) to draw or represent in a graph

-graph

²

combining form

1. an instrument that writes or records

   telegraph

2. a writing, record, or drawing

   autograph

   lithograph

graph

1. A diagram showing the relationship of quantities, especially such a diagram in which lines, bars, or proportional areas represent how one quantity depends on or changes with another.

2. A curve or line showing a mathematical function or equation, typically drawn in a Cartesian coordinate system. The graph of the function y = x ² is a parabola.

Other Word Forms

• regraph verb (used with object)
• -graphically combining form
• -graphic combining form

Word History and Origins

Origin of graph¹

First recorded in 1875–80; short for graphic formula; graphic

Origin of graph²

< Greek -graphos (something) drawn or written, one who draws or writes. See grapho-

Word History and Origins

Origin of graph¹

C19: short for graphic formula

Origin of graph²

via Latin from Greek -graphos, from graphein to write

Synonym Study

See map.

Example Sentences

As he often does, Strategy chairman and co-founder Michael Saylor teased an upcoming purchase announcement in a social media post Sunday, suggesting the company might “start adding green dots” to a graph representing its Bitcoin holdings.

Read more on Barron's

The most recent crime report by insurers NFU Mutual shows that the estimated cost of all rural crime decreased by 16.5% year-on-year, to £44.1m in 2024, as you can see from the graph below, although it rose sharply in Wales.

Read more on BBC

"The graph is going the wrong way," said Emma.

Read more on BBC

He added that EasyJet's net zero pathway graph was "quite misleading".

Read more on BBC

In 2006 he attended an exhibit organized by Emory’s Tam Institute for Jewish Studies, where his eye was caught by a bar graph documenting that between 1948 and 1958 a stunning 65% of Jewish dental students at Emory had either been intentionally “flunked out” or forced to repeat at least one year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• chart 

When To Use

What does -graph mean?

The combining form -graph is used like a suffix meaning “drawn” or "written," often to denote a recording of something. It is also used in a technical sense to mean an instrument that produces a written product. It is often used in scientific and technical terms.The form -graph comes from Greek -graphos, meaning “drawn or written, one who draws or writes.”What are variants of -graph?While -graph doesn't have any variants, it is related to the forms -graphy, as in telegraphy, and -graphic, as in pictographic. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles on -graphy and -graphic.