the principal theme in a speech or literary work
"The keynote of her acceptance speech was gratitude to everyone who had supported her throughout the years."
a fundamental or central idea
"The keynote of her speech was the urgent need for global cooperation to combat climate change."
The note on which a musical key is based; the tonic.
"The composer chose C as the keynote, ensuring every other note in the piece resolved back to it."
In plain English: A keynote is an important speech given at the start of a big event to set the main theme for everything that follows.
"The keynote speaker gave an inspiring talk about innovation at the conference."
Usage: A keynote refers to the primary topic introduced by a speaker at an event, not the specific pitch used in music. Use this term when describing the central message that guides discussions rather than minor details or secondary themes.
give the keynote address to (an audience)
"The renowned scientist will keynote the annual conference next month."
To deliver a speech that sets the main theme of a conference or other gathering.
"The famous scientist was invited to keynote the international climate summit by delivering a speech on global cooperation."
In plain English: To keynote means to give an important speech at the beginning of a big event.
"The CEO will keynote today's conference with her new sustainability plan."
The word keynote combines the words key and note, originally referring to a musical tone that sets the pitch or mood for an entire piece of music. It traveled into English from this literal sense before coming to mean a central theme or main idea in a speech, event, or series.