keynote
- Music. the note or tone on which a key or system of tones is founded; the tonic.
- the main idea or central principle of a speech, program, thought, action, etc.
- 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.
- keynote address.
- to announce the policy of (a political party, campaign, assembly, etc.); deliver a keynote address at: The governor will keynote the convention.
- to serve as the keynote for.
- Music. to give the keynote of.
- to provide a keynote, especially a keynote address: He refused an invitation to keynote.
Origin of keynote
Related Words for keynote
kernel, heart, essence, idea, motive, measure, nub, basis, source, keystone, spring, criterion, core, gist, standard, crux, marrow, cornerstone, substance, centerExamples from the Web for keynote
Contemporary Examples of keynote
I flew to Peru to hear her give a keynote speech at an international conference.
To this end, CAIR has invited Rev. Al Sharpton to be the keynote speaker at its 20th anniversary dinner to be held next month.
But Pence, who was slated to keynote this conference in just a few minutes?
He was a soaring star from the moment he finished his keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
One of the keynote speakers at the CCCU conference is David Kinnaman, the president of the Barna Group.
Historical Examples of keynote
At any rate, this is the keynote of the tragedy, which is struck again and again.
The Man ShakespeareFrank Harris
The persistent aim after perfection should be the keynote of every life.
Italy, the Magic LandLilian Whiting
Space will permit only the keynote of these courageous speeches.
It was the keynote of Greek architecture throughout its finest period.
The Legacy of GreeceVarious
An instrument on which the keynote is strummed to accompany singing.
My ReminiscencesRabindranath Tagore
keynote
- a central or determining principle in a speech, literary work, etc
- (as modifier)a keynote speech
- the note upon which a scale or key is based; tonic
- to deliver a keynote address to (a political convention, etc)
- to outline (political issues, policy, etc) in or as in a keynote address