keyboard

[ kee-bawrd ]
See synonyms for keyboard on Thesaurus.com
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.

  1. 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, 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.

Origin of keyboard

1
First recorded in 1810–20; key1 + board

Other words from keyboard

  • key·board·er, key·board·ist, noun
  • re·key·board, verb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for keyboard

keyboard

/ (ˈkiːˌbɔːd) /


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

    • (as modifier): a keyboard instrument

  1. (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

Derived forms of keyboard

  • keyboarder, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012