English dictionary

keynote

/'k/i/,n/oU/t/

Definitions, examples, synonyms and antonyms from WordNet 3.0.

noun

the principal theme in a speech or literary work

noun.communication

Source: WordNet 3.0
a fundamental or central idea

noun.cognition

Source: WordNet 3.0
(music) the first note of a diatonic scale

noun.communication

Synonyms tonic

Source: WordNet 3.0
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 <i>key tone</i>.

noun

Source: webster1913

set the keynote of

verb.change

Examples
Comfort keynotes this designer's Fall collection.

Source: WordNet 3.0
give the keynote address to (an audience)

verb.communication

Source: WordNet 3.0