Definitions of keynote

1. give the keynote address to ( an audience)

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

3. the principal theme in a speech or literary work

4. The fundamental fact or idea; that which gives the key; as, the keynote of a policy or a sermon.

5. The tonic or first tone of the scale in which a piece or passage is written; the fundamental tone of the chord, to which all the modulations of the piece are referred; - called also key tone.

6. The basal note in a system of musical notes; ruling principle.

7. The key or fundamental note of a piece of music.

8. Fundamental note of a given scale or musical piece.

9. The tonic of a key, from which it is named.

10. A ruling principle or sentiment.

11. The fundamental note.