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keyboard

[kee-bawrd, -bohrd]
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noun
  1. the row or set of keys on a piano, organ, or the like.
  2. a set of keys usually arranged in tiers, for operating a typewriter, typesetting machine, computer terminal, or the like.
  3. any of various musical instruments played by means of a pianolike keyboard, as a piano, electric piano, or organ.
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verb (used with or without object)
  1. Also key, key in. Computers. to enter (information) into a computer by means of a keyboard.
  2. to set (text) in type, using a machine that is operated by a keyboard.
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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. 2018

Related Words

loadcomputeprogramrundigitizecomputerizeinitializeinputkeyboard
British Dictionary definitions for key in

key in

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

noun
    1. a complete set of keys, usually hand-operated, as on a piano, organ, typewriter, or typesetting machine
    2. (as modifier)a keyboard instrument
  2. (often plural) a musical instrument, esp an electronic one, played by means of a keyboard
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verb
  1. to set (a text, etc) in type, onto magnetic tape, or into some other medium, by using a keyboard machine
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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

n.

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).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper