keyboard

[kee-bawrd, -bohrd]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR keyboard ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the row or set of keys on a piano, organ, or the like.

a set of keys usually arranged in tiers, for operating a typewriter, typesetting machine, computer terminal, or the like.

any of various musical instruments played by means of a pianolike keyboard, as a piano, electric piano, or organ.

verb (used with or without object)

Also key, key in. Computers. to enter (information) into a computer by means of a keyboard.

to set (text) in type, using a machine that is operated by a keyboard.

Origin of keyboard

First recorded in 1810–20; key¹ + board

Related formskey·board·er, key·board·ist, nounre·key·board, verb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for key in

load, compute, program, run, digitize, computerize, initialize, input, keyboard

British Dictionary definitions for key in

key in

verb

(tr, adverb) to enter (information or instructions) in a computer or other device by means of a keyboard or keypad

keyboard

noun

a complete set of keys, usually hand-operated, as on a piano, organ, typewriter, or typesetting machine
(as modifier)a keyboard instrument

(often plural) a musical instrument, esp an electronic one, played by means of a keyboard

verb

to set (a text, etc) in type, onto magnetic tape, or into some other medium, by using a keyboard machine

Derived Formskeyboarder, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for key in

keyboard

1819, from key (n.1) in sense of "mechanism of a musical instrument" + board (n.1). Originally of pianos, organs, etc., extended to other machines 1846. The verb is first recorded 1926 (implied in keyboarding).