keyboard

[kee-bawrd]

noun

1. the row or set of keys on a piano, organ, or the like.

   I was playing piano before my feet could reach the pedals or my fingers could cover a chord on the keyboard.

2. a set of keys, usually arranged in tiers, for operating a typewriter, computer, cash register, or the like, or a digital representation of the same on a touchscreen used to type on a device such as a smartphone or tablet.

   I spilled coffee on my keyboard, and now the return key sticks so my documents are full of extra line breaks.

3. any of various musical instruments played by means of a pianolike keyboard, as a piano, electric piano, or organ.

   You basically need four people to start a rock band—someone on lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, and keyboard.

verb (used with or without object)

1. Also key in to enter (data) into a computer by means of a keyboard.

   If you can get changes keyboarded by Monday, we should still be able to make the project deadline.

2. to set (text) in type, using a machine that is operated by a keyboard.

keyboard

/ ˈkiːˌbɔːd /

noun

1. 1. a complete set of keys, usually hand-operated, as on a piano, organ, typewriter, or typesetting machine

   2. ( as modifier )

      a keyboard instrument

2. (often plural) a musical instrument, esp an electronic one, played by means of a keyboard

verb

1. to set (a text, etc) in type, onto magnetic tape, or into some other medium, by using a keyboard machine

Other Word Forms

• keyboarder noun
• keyboardist noun
• rekeyboard verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of keyboard¹

First recorded in 1810–20; key ¹ + board

Example Sentences

While other busy people wish for another pair of hands, he’s occupying his while tapping a computer keyboard with one foot to streamline his efforts.

From Salon

Others don’t give students computers, forcing them to write term papers on tablets that lack external keyboards.

From Los Angeles Times

Then it grows small again, a lonely keyboard wandering a broken chord as Bryant’s voiceover admits that his body can only play for so long.

From Los Angeles Times

In Kaufman's case, his identity had been used to release a track called Someone Who's Love Me, which sounded like "a Casio keyboard demo with broken English lyrics".

From BBC

We have seen no bulky equipment during our visits to Starbucks since the new guidelines were issued on 7 August, though we did see one man with a laptop stand, keyboard and mouse.

From BBC

Related Words

• console 
• manual 
• piano