keyboard

1 of 2

noun

key·​board ˈkē-ˌbȯrd How to pronounce keyboard (audio)
1
a
: a bank of keys on a musical instrument (such as a piano) that usually consists of seven white and five raised black keys to the octave
b
: a musical instrument that is played by means of a keyboard
2
: a group of systematically arranged keys by which a machine or device is operated
a computer keyboard
3
: a board on which keys for locks are hung

keyboard

2 of 2

verb

keyboarded; keyboarding; keyboards

transitive verb

: to enter (data, text, etc.) by means of a keyboard
keyboard a manuscript
… he would like her to drop her copy off and have it keyboarded into the system by someone else.Margaret Atwood

intransitive verb

: to operate a machine (as for typesetting) by means of a keyboard
keyboarder noun

Examples of keyboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Soon, the sounds of keyboards, standup bass and percussion echoed from down the long hallway. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 And Evans, unlike any other pianist working in jazz, could put these things onto the keyboard. James Kaplan, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2024 On the top-left of the keyboard, there's a control wheel that can be customized for applications like Premiere Pro, or simply scrubbing through media and adjusting the keyboard's lighting. Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 2 Mar. 2024 Unfortunately, pianos are costly, but keyboards are a great, more affordable alternative. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Mar. 2024 The novel, however, isn’t Guggenheim’s first turn behind the keyboard. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 The most sensitive include people’s DNA and biometric data, as well as computer keyboard use patterns. Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024 This might include ergonomic work equipment, like a wrist rest for your computer keyboard, a special padded mouse, or chair cushions. Erica Sweeney, SELF, 21 Feb. 2024 The keyboard is built around a gasket-mount which is an increasingly popular design for many mechanical keyboards because of the bouncy feel the gasket provides when typing. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
Verb
The aftermath of the shooting was disappointing but not surprising; though Megan was the victim, not the perpetrator of the violence, she was harassed and slandered by everyone from her peers in the industry to keyboard warriors on social media. Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 7 Nov. 2023 Needless to say, this analogy was such a howler that many, many people besides just me took fingers to keyboard to lambaste Robert Bryce, the author of that OpEd. Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2011 While this is very expensive for an entry-level tablet, a report suggests that Apple had considered launching a plastic iPad and keyboard for under $500. José Adorno, BGR, 1 Nov. 2022 There’s a quiet catharsis in putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and creating a poem, short story or other literary thingy. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 19 Nov. 2021 Students need practice putting pencil to paper and not just fingers to keyboard. Brian Platzer, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2020 Summer learning in District 181 focused on core classes, including 14 math, 12 language arts, nine art and one foreign language, keyboarding, creative writing, along with a writing camp. Chuck Fieldman, chicagotribune.com, 26 June 2019 The music series starts Sunday and runs through Oct. 14, featuring artists that range from trumpeter Bo Berry to keyboard player Gail Jhonson. Mary Colurso, AL.com, 7 Apr. 2018 Students need to learn printing, cursive and keyboarding to have all the tools for communication success. Erin Dolin, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'keyboard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1906, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of keyboard was in 1776

Dictionary Entries Near keyboard

Cite this Entry

“Keyboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keyboard. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

keyboard

noun
key·​board
ˈkē-ˌbō(ə)rd,
-ˌbȯ(ə)rd
1
: a row or set of keys by which a musical instrument (as a piano) is played
2
: the whole arrangement of keys by which a machine (as a typewriter or computer) is operated

More from Merriam-Webster on keyboard

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