keyboard

American  

[kee-bawrd] / ˈkiˌbɔrd /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Other Word Forms

• keyboarder noun
• keyboardist noun
• rekeyboard verb

Etymology

Origin of keyboard

First recorded in 1810–20; key ¹ + board

Example Sentences

There are no screens or keyboards, let alone holographic head cams or brain-reading chips.

From BBC

But before you instinctively type the letters "a/s/l" on your keyboard, get this - for a lot of people, this is hardly the stuff of distant memories.

From BBC

A pulsing bassline and electric keyboard are supported by tight horn riffs: “If you hear any noise / It’s just me and the boys / Hit me / You gotta hit the band.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Elk Grove officers operate drones remotely from a workstation with a computer monitor, keyboard and mouse.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Cure guitarist and keyboard player Perry Bamonte has died aged 65, the band has said.

From BBC

Related Words

• console
• manual
• piano