keynote: Meaning and Definition of

key•note

1. the note or tone on which a key or system of tones is founded; the tonic.
2. the main idea or central principle of a speech, program, thought, action, etc.
3. the policy line to be followed, as by a party in a political campaign, that is set forth authoritatively in advance by an address or other formal announcement.
4. See

1. to announce the policy of (a political party, campaign, assembly, etc.); deliver a keynote address at: The governor will keynote the convention.
2. to serve as the keynote for.
3. to give the keynote of.

1. to provide a keynote, esp. a keynote address: He refused an invitation to keynote.