foreign telegram; overseas dispatch
Refers to news reports or telegrams received from foreign correspondents or news agencies. Common in journalistic contexts.
外電によると、現地では大規模なデモが行われている。
According to foreign dispatches, large-scale demonstrations are taking place locally.
According to a dispatch from Washington, the talks will be held next week.
A foreign dispatch came in late at night, and the reporters grew tense.
The newspaper relayed the foreign dispatch as it was.
電報 is the general word for any telegram, whereas 外電 specifically means a telegram or news dispatch sent from a foreign country.
外伝 (a side story or spin-off tale) is pronounced identically to 外電 but has a completely unrelated meaning about narrative content, not news reporting.
Used for a piece of foreign wire news, as a type of written communication like a letter or telegram (通).
Compound of 外 (foreign) and 電 (telegram/telecommunication).