graph

¹ American  

[graf] / græf /

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 American  

1. variant of grapho- before a vowel.

   grapheme.

---

-graph ³ American  

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 British  

combining form

1. an instrument that writes or records

   telegraph

2. a writing, record, or drawing

   autograph

   lithograph

---

graph ² British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ grăf /

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.

---

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.

Related Words

See map.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of graph¹

First recorded in 1875–80; short for graphic formula; graphic

Origin of -graph³

< Greek -graphos (something) drawn or written, one who draws or writes. See grapho-

Example Sentences

Between the graphs and equations, he says, you glimpse the people behind the missions; what their families were going through, what they knew and did not yet know as they pushed into the unknown.

From BBC

To carry out the analysis, researchers used a type of artificial intelligence called a graph convolutional network.

From Science Daily

Investors and commentators scrutinize the tables and graphs—especially a runic “dot plot” of individual committee members’ guesses about future interest rates—for clues about the Fed’s thinking.

From The Wall Street Journal

The stock price is shown on the lower graph while the upper graph shows implied volatility.

From MarketWatch

The graph below shows that he should have had one more goal and three more assists this season.

From BBC

Related Words

• chart