telegram
TEH-luh-gram
Telegram (noun) means a short written message sent by telegraph. Example: “She received a telegram announcing the birth of her nephew.”
noun
1
A short written message sent by telegraph.
"On 20 May 1937 when down in Bradford-on-Avon on business, Bulleid received a telegram with the cryptic news: 'Sir Herbert Walker wishes to see you twelve thirty tomorrow—Gresley'."
— Graham Burtenshaw, O.V.S. Bulleid's SR loco-hauled coaches - 1 (1979)
"She received a telegram announcing the birth of her nephew."
name
1
A popular encrypted messaging app.
"Following his arrest, Telegram said Durov had “nothing to hide” and that it was “absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”"
— Clare Duffy, After CEO’s arrest, Telegram says it will now turn some bad actors’ data over to law enforcement (2024)
"They coordinated the event over Telegram."
How to use telegram
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHistorically a message sent by telegraph; today, most commonly the messaging app Telegram.
Common pairings
send a telegram
Telegram channel
Telegram message
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Word forms
- Plural
- telegrams
- Third person singular
- telegrams
- Past tense
- telegrammed
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She received a _____ announcing the birth of her nephew.
Etymology
Formed from "tele-" plus "-gram" ("something written").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “telegram” mean?
The word “telegram” means a short written message sent by telegraph. In plain terms, historically a message sent by telegraph; today, most commonly the messaging app Telegram.
How do you pronounce “telegram”?
“Telegram” is pronounced TEH-luh-gram (/ˈtɛləˌɡɹæm/ in IPA).
How do you use “telegram” in a sentence?
Here is “telegram” used in a sentence: “She received a telegram announcing the birth of her nephew.”
What part of speech is “telegram”?
Depending on how it is used, “telegram” can be a noun and a name.
Is “telegram” a common word?
“Telegram” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “telegram” have?
“Telegram” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short written message sent by telegraph.
What is the difference between a telegram and the Telegram app?
A telegram is a short written message historically sent by telegraph, a now largely obsolete technology, while Telegram (capitalised) is a modern encrypted messaging app, unrelated in method though its name nods to the older tradition of quick messaging. Context and capitalisation usually make clear which is meant.
Are telegrams still sent today?
Telegrams, in the sense of short messages sent by telegraph, are a largely historical form of communication, since text messages, email, and messaging apps have replaced the technology in everyday use. The word survives mainly in historical references or as the name of the app Telegram.
What is the difference between a telegram and an email or text message?
A telegram was a short written message sent by telegraph, typically charged by the word and used for urgent or important communication before modern telecommunications, whereas email and text messages are sent instantly over digital networks. Telegrams were often terse due to cost, giving rise to a distinctive clipped writing style.
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