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)

keyboards, present (3rd person singular) keyboarded, past participle, past keyboarding present participle

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

Derived Forms

• keyboarder
  noun
• keyboardist
  noun
• rekeyboard
  verb

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has keyboarded
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have keyboarded
  perfect
• are keyboarding
  progressive
• am keyboarding
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been keyboarding
  perfect progressive
• has been keyboarding
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• keyboarding
  participle
• is keyboarding
  progressive 3rd person singular
• keyboards
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had keyboarded
  perfect
• was keyboarding
  progressive singular
• were keyboarding
  progressive plural
• keyboarded
  simple
• had been keyboarding
  perfect progressive
• keyboarded
  participle

Future

• will keyboard
  simple
• will have keyboarded
  perfect
• will be keyboarding
  progressive
• will have been keyboarding
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of keyboard

First recorded in 1810–20; key ¹ + board

Explanation

What do pianos and computers have in common? They both have keyboards! A computer keyboard has numbers and letters, but a piano keyboard has musical notes. The keyboard is the part that you press with your fingers. Besides the rockin’ keyboard of a synthesizer, piano, or organ, there is also the computer keyboard. This keyboard is used for typing, with the earliest examples being the keyboards on typewriters. Occasionally, the word keyboard is used as a verb, meaning "to type on keyboard." It’s also, literally, a board with little hooks to hang the other kind of keys on. The musical instrument meaning came first, around 1819.

Example Sentences

The singer also made good use out of her space bedrooms, with one utilized as a music room, complete with a funky patterned couch, a keyboard, and a drum kit.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

He also spent more than £1,800 at John Lewis on an iPad Pro and Apple magic keyboard in September 2020.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Along with her demonstrated keyboard skills, she plays solid jazz trumpet.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

"I've tried the Marathi keyboard, but it's really complicated to use," she added, saying that the only person she knows who uses the Marathi keyboard to type is her grandmother.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

And then Josie clasped Mira’s hand, gently pulling it away from the screen and keyboard.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• console
• manual
• piano