keyboard

[kee-bawrd]

noun

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

   I was playing piano before my feet could reach the pedals or my fingers could cover a chord on the keyboard.

2. a set of keys, usually arranged in tiers, for operating a typewriter, computer, cash register, or the like, or a digital representation of the same on a touchscreen used to type on a device such as a smartphone or tablet.

   I spilled coffee on my keyboard, and now the return key sticks so my documents are full of extra line breaks.

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

   You basically need four people to start a rock band—someone on lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, and keyboard.

verb (used with or without object)

1. Also key in to enter (data) into a computer by means of a keyboard.

   If you can get changes keyboarded by Monday, we should still be able to make the project deadline.

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

keyboard

/ ˈkiːˌbɔːd /

noun

1. 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

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• keyboarder noun
• keyboardist noun
• rekeyboard verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of keyboard¹

First recorded in 1810–20; key ¹ + board

Example Sentences

It has long been believed that the government employs a network of individuals, known as "keyboard warriors", to push its online messages.

Read more on BBC

The click, click, click of their fingers running across the ten-by-ten gray manual keyboards of their calculators resonated throughout the room.

Read more on Literature

Led by keyboard player Paul Copeland, the group were praised for a "bold, genre-blending record" with elements of jazz, hip-hop, psychedelia and grime.

Read more on BBC

"Having access to an ergonomic chair, keyboard and mouse means I can stay in work longer," she said.

Read more on BBC

With “facilitated communication,” parents were convinced they were liberating the trapped thoughts of their autistic children through a keyboard, unaware they were manipulating their children’s hands.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• console 
• manual 
• piano