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

He plays a key role in the creation of company keynotes, which used to be live, but since the pandemic have been taped.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Huang’s keynote speech featured product announcements, a few financial updates and warm words directed at the U.S. government.

Read more on MarketWatch

He’s advised companies who are targeted that he is open to hearing why his thesis is wrong, once saying in a Chicago keynote talk, “We would accept a good explanation.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Altman was the closing act at AMD’s splashy “Advancing AI” keynote, held at a giant convention center in downtown San Jose in June.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.

Read more on BBC