telegram

[tel-i-gram]

noun

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

verb (used with or without object)

telegrammed, telegramming 

1. to telegraph.

telegram

/ ˈtɛlɪˌɡræm, ˌtɛlɪɡrəˈmætɪk /

noun

1. a communication transmitted by telegraph See also cable Telemessage

Other Word Forms

• telegrammatic adjective
• telegrammic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of telegram¹

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

Example Sentences

"The telegram boy said, 'I'm sorry to tell you, but this is bad news'," he says.

From BBC

A telegram from King George VI was read aloud:

From BBC

A telegram in the same files shows a doctor from Cornwall, who was treating a 10-year-old child in 1944, pleading with the authorities for the medicine: "No hope without penicillin".

From BBC

On 13 March, "Artem" sent a telegram message from a military hospital, where he was being treated for shrapnel wounds suffered in a drone attack.

From BBC

Other lots included telegrams from the late Duke of Edinburgh and letters from Margaret Thatcher and fellow comics Ronnie Barker and Tommy Cooper.

From BBC

Related Words

• summons 
• telegraph