Keyboard
/ˈkiːbɔːrd/
Definitions
3 meaningsA set of keys used to operate a computer or other device.
/ˈkiːbɔːrd/
An input device
She spilled coffee on her keyboard and it stopped working.
💡 Simply: It's like a digital piano for your computer! You press the keys to tell the computer what to do, like writing or playing games. It's how you talk to the computer.
👶 For kids: A bunch of buttons you push on a computer to write or play games.
More Examples
He uses a mechanical keyboard for a better typing experience.
The keyboard is connected to the computer via a USB cable.
How It's Used
"I type on my keyboard to write emails."
"The pianist played a beautiful melody on the keyboard."
A musical instrument with a row of keys, such as a piano, organ, or synthesizer.
/ˈkiːbɔːrd/
A musical instrument
The musician played a beautiful melody on the keyboard.
💡 Simply: It's a musical instrument that uses keys. Think of a piano, organ, or synthesizer. Pressing the keys makes sounds!
👶 For kids: A musical instrument with black and white keys. Like a piano!
More Examples
She practices the keyboard every day to improve her skills.
The band uses a synthesizer keyboard in their performances.
How It's Used
"She plays the piano, which is a type of keyboard instrument."
To enter data or text using a keyboard.
/ˈkiːbɔːrd/
To enter data using a keyboard
She keyboarded the information into the database.
💡 Simply: To type on the computer. You 'keyboard' your thoughts into the computer.
👶 For kids: To type on a computer.
More Examples
He keyboarded his notes during the lecture.
I need to keyboard these documents before the end of the day.
How It's Used
"I keyboarded my password to log in."
Idioms & expressions
Keyboard warrior
Someone who expresses strong opinions or insults online but would not act similarly in real life.
"Don't listen to him; he's just a keyboard warrior behind a screen."
From the word 'key' and 'board'. The earliest keyboards were literal boards with keys for playing musical instruments. The term was later applied to the input device for typewriters and computers.
The term 'keyboard' evolved from the physical board with keys on musical instruments to the input device for typewriters, and finally, computers.
Memory tip
Think of a piano keyboard - a set of keys to make something happen!