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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about key signature

Dictionary Entries near key signature

Statistics for key signature

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for key signature

The first known use of key signature was in 1843

See more words from the same year

Comments on key signature

What made you want to look up key signature? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

comprise

to be made up of

Test Your Vocabulary

Word Puzzles

Which answer pairs best with each of the following words? living, estate, club, music, road, mile

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ