keynote speaker

noun

: one who delivers a keynote address

Examples of keynote speaker in a Sentence

Senator Williams was the keynote speaker at the convention.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The evening’s keynote speaker is former Stanford University women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer, the second-winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, with 1,216 career victories. Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026 William Arruda is a keynote speaker, author, and personal branding pioneer. William Arruda, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 Hip-hop artist and TV personality Big Freedia and 2025 Grammy winner Tank (of Tank and the Bangas), both of New Orleans, are the conference’s 2026 keynote speakers. Paul Grein, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2026 Joyce Ladner, civil rights activist and former professor of sociology, provost and interim president at Howard University, is the keynote speaker for both events. Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for keynote speaker

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of keynote speaker was in 1896

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Cite this Entry

“Keynote speaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keynote%20speaker. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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