1A telegram — a short message sent by electrical telecommunication, and the medium itself. The standard verbs are 電報を打つ ('strike/send a telegram') and 電報を送る. Largely displaced by phone, email, and messaging apps for everyday communication, but still in active use today as 祝電 (congratulatory telegrams for weddings) and 弔電 (condolence telegrams for funerals).
結婚式に出席できないので、電報でお祝いの言葉を送った。
Since I couldn't attend the wedding, I sent my congratulations by telegram.
葬儀には行けないけれど、せめて電報で弔意を伝えたい。
I can't attend the funeral, but I at least want to send my condolences by telegram.
戦時中、家族の安否を知らせる電報が届いて、母は泣き崩れた。
During the war, a telegram arrived with news of the family's safety, and my mother collapsed in tears.
メールやLINEが普及して、急ぎの連絡で電報を打つ人はもうほとんどいない。
Since email and LINE have spread, hardly anyone sends a telegram for urgent contact anymore.