keynote

[kee-noht]

noun

1. Music.,  the note or tone on which a key or system of tones is founded; the tonic.

2. the main idea or central principle of a speech, program, thought, action, etc.

3. the policy line to be followed, as by a party in a political campaign, that is set forth authoritatively in advance by an address or other formal announcement.

4. keynote address.

verb (used with object)

keynoted, keynoting 

1. to announce the policy of (a political party, campaign, assembly, etc.); deliver a keynote address at.

   The governor will keynote the convention.

2. to serve as the keynote for.

3. Music.,  to give the keynote of.

verb (used without object)

keynoted, keynoting 

1. to provide a keynote, especially a keynote address.

   He refused an invitation to keynote.

keynote

/ ˈkiːˌnəʊt /

noun

1. 1. a central or determining principle in a speech, literary work, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a keynote speech

2. the note upon which a scale or key is based; tonic

verb

1. to deliver a keynote address to (a political convention, etc)

2. to outline (political issues, policy, etc) in or as in a keynote address

Word History and Origins

Origin of keynote¹

First recorded in 1755–65; key ¹ + note

Example Sentences

First Minister John Swinney announced he aims to roll out the first site "within the year" during his keynote speech at the SNP conference in Aberdeen.

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U.S. investors return from the long weekend with a keynote speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell later.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

U.S. investors return from their long weekend, awaiting a keynote speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

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The announcement came during his keynote speech at the SNP conference in Aberdeen.

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But this conference, particularly his keynote speech on Monday, is an opportunity for Swinney to put his own stamp on things.

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