graph
noun
a diagram representing a system of connections or interrelations among two or more things by a number of distinctive dots, lines, bars, etc.
graph
1 American
[graf]
/ græf /
noun
-
graphs
plural
-
a diagram representing a system of connections or interrelations among two or more things by a number of distinctive dots, lines, bars, etc.
-
Mathematics.
-
a series of points, discrete or continuous, forming a curve or surface, each of which represents a value of a given function.
-
Also called linear graph. a network of lines connecting points.
-
-
a written symbol for an idea, a sound, or a linguistic expression.
-
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)
-
graphs,
present (3rd person singular)
-
graphed,
past participle, past
-
graphing
present participle
-
Mathematics. to draw (a curve) as representing a given function.
-
to represent by means of a graph.
graph-
2
American
-graph
3
American
graph
1
British
/ ɡrɑːf, ɡræf /
noun
-
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
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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
-
maths a structure represented by a diagram consisting of points (vertices) joined by lines (edges)
-
linguistics a symbol in a writing system not further subdivisible into other such symbols
verb
-graph
2
British
combining form
-
an instrument that writes or records
telegraph
-
a writing, record, or drawing
autograph
lithograph
graph
Scientific
/ grăf /
-
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.
-
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.
Usage
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.
Synonym Usage
See map.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
graphsimple
-
graphssimple
-
have graphedperfect
-
has graphedperfect
-
am graphingprogressive
-
are graphingprogressive
-
is graphingprogressive
-
have been graphingperfect progressive
-
has been graphingperfect progressive
Past
-
graphedsimple
-
had graphedperfect
-
was graphingprogressive
-
were graphingprogressive
-
had been graphingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of graph1
First recorded in 1875–80; short for graphic formula; see graphic
Origin of -graph3
< Greek -graphos (something) drawn or written, one who draws or writes. See grapho-
Explanation
A graph is a visual plotting of the relationship between two or more quantities, like a math map. To graph is to create such a chart. The noun graph came into use in the 1800s, when people got tired of saying graphic formula and decided to chop it down. A hundred years later, the verb form of graph was first recorded. Diagram and linear representation are two synonyms for the word. The dancer Martha Graham said, “Every dance is a kind of fever chart, a graph of the heart.” Here, she uses graph to say that dance is a visual representation of what’s in the heart.
Vocabulary lists containing graph
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 1
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The index has trailed the Nasdaq composite and the S&P 500 since January 2020, according to a graph Robinhood provided.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
While still not constant pressure from their possession in the second half, the graph below is evidence that Scotland were much more effective in the latter stages of the game as an attacking entity.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
For instance, the accompanying TTD two-year chart shows two graphs — the stock price on the lower graph and implied volatility on the upper one.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 30, 2026
The Ashley and Austin side, I knew the inverse graph for both characters would be very satisfying — to me, at least.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
Although he instantly saw this in three-dimensional terms, the nature of his insight is now known to every schoolchild who has ever drawn a graph.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
The 17-page, graph- and chart-heavy report found no contributing factors led to the breakdowns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 27, 2019
The words 'phonograph,' 'graphophone' and 'gramophone' literally mean 'sound-writing,' for the Greek form graph-, the Latin form scrib-, and the Saxon form write, equally parts of our language, denote exactly the same meaning.
From Copyright: Its History and Its Law by Richard Rogers Bowker
For now though, whatever growth graphs the organisers offer, the most impressive numbers belong to the Red Roses.
From BBC ● May 17, 2026
For instance, the accompanying TTD two-year chart shows two graphs — the stock price on the lower graph and implied volatility on the upper one.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 30, 2026
The Microsoft two-year chart below, for example, has two graphs on it.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 23, 2026
Mr, Patel also explained the meaning of the green and red bars shown in the country-specific graphs.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 17, 2026
Somehow by looking at the graphs he was supposed to be able to tell what would happen to the price of a cup of coffee if there was a drought in Brazil.
From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar
The UW center analyzed how such rumors spread, sometimes through graphed timelines showing inflection points among tweets as heavy-hitting influencers weighed in.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 10, 2023
Results are stored and graphed over time, allowing a patient and physician to review how coordination may change.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 14, 2023
Geologic time periods are graphed, with beginning and ending dates.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2023
There have been no clear trends in global hurricanes since 1980, according to data collected and graphed by research meteorologist Ryan Maue.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 2, 2022
A large piece of graphed paper containing a design for an outdoor space: a fountain in the middle and pebble pathways spoking out from it.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
SAT and AP tests now offer free digital graphing options for students, but it’s harder than it seems for school districts to look beyond Texas Instruments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
I gripped my TI-84 graphing calculator in outrage.
From Barron's ● May 1, 2026
The fear that using AI will “rot the human brain” is akin to the initial reluctance to allow graphing calculators in math classes, with teachers preferring graph paper instead.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 6, 2026
The sixth graders at Khan Lab School, an independent school with an elementary campus in Palo Alto, Calif., were working on quadratic equations, graphing functions, Venn diagrams.
From New York Times ● Jun. 8, 2023
We’re in our room, and he’s punching numbers into a graphing calculator with a clicking sound that’s driving me nuts.
From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
