keynote

[kee-noht]

noun

1. Music.,  the note or tone on which a key or system of tones is founded; the tonic.

2. the main idea or central principle of a speech, program, thought, action, etc.

3. the policy line to be followed, as by a party in a political campaign, that is set forth authoritatively in advance by an address or other formal announcement.

4. keynote address.

verb (used with object)

keynoted, keynoting 

1. to announce the policy of (a political party, campaign, assembly, etc.); deliver a keynote address at.

   The governor will keynote the convention.

2. to serve as the keynote for.

3. Music.,  to give the keynote of.

verb (used without object)

keynoted, keynoting 

1. to provide a keynote, especially a keynote address.

   He refused an invitation to keynote.

keynote

/ ˈkiːˌnəʊt /

noun

1. 1. a central or determining principle in a speech, literary work, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a keynote speech

2. the note upon which a scale or key is based; tonic

verb

1. to deliver a keynote address to (a political convention, etc)

2. to outline (political issues, policy, etc) in or as in a keynote address

Word History and Origins

Origin of keynote¹

First recorded in 1755–65; key ¹ + note

Example Sentences

But this conference, particularly his keynote speech on Monday, is an opportunity for Swinney to put his own stamp on things.

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In Badenoch's first keynote speech to the conference, there was one big reveal.

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The Conservatives will commit to a new economic "golden rule" designed to cut government borrowing and taxes, party leader Kemi Badenoch will say in her keynote speech to the party's conference.

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The prime minister used his keynote speech to cast Nigel Farage's movement as practising the "politics of grievance" and to position Labour as the party of "tolerant, decent" patriotism.

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Sir Keir Starmer sought to rally his party and set out his vision for the country in his keynote speech at Labour's conference in Liverpool.

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