noun

keynote

KEE-noht

noun

A major speech that sets out the central theme of a conference or event.

"The CEO delivered the keynote at the tech conference."

The main idea or theme running through a piece of writing, speech, or event.

"Hope was the keynote of her entire campaign."

verb

To give the main address at a conference or event.

"She was invited to keynote the marketing summit."

How to Use Keynote

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe headline speech at an event, or the central theme it expresses.

Common pairings

keynote speech keynote speaker deliver the keynote

keynoted past tense, keynotes plural, keynotes singular

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The CEO delivered the _____ at the tech conference.

From "key" (as in the musical key a piece is built on) plus "note", extended figuratively to mean the central theme of any speech or event.

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