1. The principal theme in a speech or literary work
   "The keynote of his address was the need for unity"
    
2. A fundamental or central idea
   "The keynote of his administration was fiscal responsibility"
    
3. (music) the first note of a diatonic scale
   "The keynote set the mood for the entire composition";
   - tonic

1. Give the keynote address to (an audience)
   "The CEO keynoted the annual conference"
    
2. Set the keynote of
   "Comfort keynotes this designer's Fall collection"

Derived forms: keynoted, keynotes, keynoting

Type of: address, idea, musical note, note, set, speak, subject, theme, thought, tone, topic

Part of: keynote address, keynote speech

Encyclopedia: Keynote