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

The design for devices such as the MacBook Air saw keyboards fitted with a two-sided hinged keyboard switch, which somewhat resembled butterfly wings.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

North “was a keyboard wizard,” the group added, “who brought an unmatched intensity and emotional depth to every performance” and whose work “created ‘aural landscapes’ that balanced virtuosity with soulful, radio-friendly hooks.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

In 2007, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs introduced the multi-touch smartphone keyboard, touting how fast it was to type on compared with the BlackBerry’s physical keys.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Spalding is the vocalist, Maribal is on keyboard and Flaherty, the 6-foot-5 redhead, plays guitar.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Figure 1.32: The key signatures for E flat and D sharp look very different, but would sound the same on a keyboard.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• console
• manual
• piano