1. (

• keynote ,

) the principal theme in a speech or literary work ;

2. (

• keynote

) a fundamental or central idea ;

3. (

• tonic ,
• keynote

) (music) the first note of a diatonic scale ;

1. (

• keynote

) set the keynote of; "Comfort keynotes this designer's Fall collection" ;

2. (

• keynote

) give the keynote address to (an audience) ;