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)

, key·not·ed, key·not·ing.

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)

, key·not·ed, key·not·ing.

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

Mr Wood was one of the keynote speakers at Oxford City Council's ninth annual Fraud Conference.

From BBC

On our last call, she’s about to head to Illinois to be a keynote speaker at the Chicago Women’s Expo.

From Los Angeles Times

The conference is taking place at London's Guildhall, and will feature keynote speeches from both the prime minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

From BBC

“Bitcoin is not just a marvel of technology,” he said in a keynote speech delivered at a major bitcoin conference.

From Los Angeles Times

Vance called the Heritage Foundation's proposed reforms “admirable” and was a keynote speaker at the report’s release event in Washington.

From Salon