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

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

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

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

"If we lose them, we're losing more than figures on a graph," she said.

Read more on BBC

A graph Day provided purported to demonstrate that “the Stem Cell Worx formulation produces steady percentages of bone marrow stem cell proliferation” and attributed that finding to “independent Scientists and Bio-Chemists” unaffiliated with her company, but didn’t name them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When the asteroid data is plotted on a graph of the rotation period versus diameter, something startling stands out - there's a gap, or dividing line that appears to split two distinct populations.

Read more on Science Daily

What's on display is a moving graph which looks a bit like an EEG.

Read more on BBC

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.