key signature

noun

Definition of key signature

: the sharps or flats placed after a clef in music to indicate the key

Examples of key signature in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Did certain key signatures or chord progressions across genres draw me in? — NBC News, "A musicologist explains the science behind your taste in music," 19 June 2019 She and her research team found the X-ray sources, a key signature of black holes that are growing, and followed up with other telescope observations in infrared to find gas and dust. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "'Cold quasar' discovery could signal galaxies' 'retirement party' phase," 12 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'key signature.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of key signature was in 1843

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