plural keys
1
a
: a usually metal instrument that is used to open a lock or to start or access a mechanism
my house/car keys
turned the key in the lock/ignition
… a metallic rattle, like keys being jangled.—
Derwent May
Derwent May2
a
: a means of gaining or preventing entrance, possession, or control
b
: an instrumental or deciding factor
the key to her success
3
a
: something that gives an explanation or identification or provides a solution
the key to a riddle
b
: a list of words or phrases giving an explanation of symbols or abbreviations
a pronunciation key in a dictionary
c
: an aid to interpretation or identification : clue
a key to understanding their motivation
e
: a map legend
4
a
: a part to be depressed by a finger that serves as one unit of a keyboard
also
: a representation of such a key (such as a space delineated on a touch screen)
Tiny keys on your iPhone's screen can be difficult to hit accurately. —Cherlynn Low
Cherlynn Low
b
: one of the levers of a keyboard musical instrument that actuates the mechanism and produces the tones
c
: a lever that controls a vent in the side of a woodwind instrument or a valve in a brass instrument
5
: a system of tones and harmonies generated from a hierarchical scale of seven tones based on a tonic
the key of G major
6
a
: characteristic style or tone
b
: the tone or pitch of a voice
c
: the predominant tone of a photograph with respect to its lightness or darkness
7
: a decoration or charm resembling a key
8
: a small switch for opening or closing an electric circuit
a telegraph key
9
: the set of instructions governing the encipherment and decipherment of messages
an encryption key
10
: a free-throw area in basketball : free throw lane
a jump shot from the top of the key
11
a(1)
(2)
: cotter
b
: a keystone in an arch
c
: a small piece of wood or metal used as a wedge or for preventing motion between parts
12
: samara
: extremely or crucially important
key issues
a key moment in the game
a key member of the staff
keyed; keying; keys
1
2
: to regulate the musical pitch of
key the strings
3
: to bring into harmony or conformity : make appropriate : attune
remarks keyed to a situation
4
: to identify (a biological specimen) by a key (see key entry 1 sense 3d)
5
: to provide with identifying or explanatory cross-references
instructions keyed to accompanying drawings—John Gartner
John Gartner6
: to make nervous, tense, or excited
—usually used with up
was too keyed up to sleep
7
: to enter or input (text or data) by using a keyboard
keying changes to a manuscript
—often used with in or intokey in a password
information being keyed into a database
8
: to be essential to : play the most important part in
defense keyed the victory
9
: to vandalize by scratching with a key
someone keyed my car door
1
: to use a key
2
: to observe the position or movement of an opposing player in football in order to anticipate the play
—usually used with on
The middle linebacker was keying on the halfback.
3
: to operate a machine by means of a keyboard : keyboard
: a low island or reef
slang
: a kilogram especially of marijuana or heroin
Synonyms
Examples of key in a Sentence
Adjective
He's a key player in the organization.
The key question is “Can we afford it?”.
Underline key words and phrases as you read.
Their votes were key in getting the bill passed.
Verb
The changes to the manuscript are being keyed by the typist.
her response was perfectly keyed to the situation
Recent Examples on the WebHelen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2024
Given all that’s riding on such predictions, robust data is key.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 20 Apr. 2024
Barely missing its midnight deadline, the Senate voted early Saturday to reauthorize a key U.S. surveillance law after divisions over whether the FBI should be restricted from using the program to search for Americans’ data nearly forced the statute to lapse.
—Farnoush Amiri, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
Murray, a key offensive player for the Kings scored 32 points and tallied eight made 3-pointers in Tuesday’s win over the Golden State Warriors.
—Michael McGough, Sacramento Bee, 20 Apr. 2024
Later, Royals outfielder MJ Melendez added three key insurance runs.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024
Because the microbiome is always in flux, reestablishing balance after infection is key—throwing lots of antibiotics or antifungals at the problem can result in a never-ending game of biological whack-a-mole where one imbalance leads to another.
—Maggie Chen, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
Injuries to key players Walker Zimmerman, Shaq Moore, Tyler Boyd and Randall Leal have been a big factor.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024
Shore Fire Media promoted five staffers to key leadership posts at the 34-year-old public relations agency.
—Marc Schneider, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024
Sean Gregory, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
Mark’s really keyed into that, always looking for combinations of things that have never been thought to be put together.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 5 Apr. 2024
This rout was keyed by the Dodgers’ two biggest offseason acquisitions.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
While Perry was elevating the offense in the third quarter, the Wolverines keyed in on defense too, holding the Lancers to 11 points in the quarter after giving up 41 in the first half.
—Dan Lovi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
In fact, many have already keyed in on retail data as a boon to their media investments.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Through their eyes, the series keys in to the details that reflect how rapidly the previously unthinkable can turn into reality.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2024
Current 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was coaching at Washington under his father, Mike, when Willis’ 11 tackles helped key a 27-6 road win in 2013.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2024
And the study keys in on the exact chemical compounds at play, demonstrating a precise explanation for the problem, says Jeremy Chan, lead study author and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Naples Federico II.
—Popular Science, 8 Feb. 2024
Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 10 Apr. 2024
Salvador Dali believed naps should be self-limiting and advised taking them while seated in a chair, lightly holding a heavy key in one dangling hand.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
Officers at the scene collected items including the playbook, the check, keys, a credit card and a necklace.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
His sweet, signature falsetto sounds sublime in expertly layered harmonies and melds easily with crisp acoustic guitars, dulcet electric keys, buoyant bass lines, and all sorts of tasteful synth flourishes.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
The victim's wallet, vehicle, phone and house keys were taken.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
In particular, the review board faulted Microsoft (MSFT) for not adequately protecting a sensitive cryptographic key that allowed the hackers to remotely sign into their targets’ Outlook accounts by forging credentials, reports my colleague Sean Lyngaas.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Art & Soul Award Shea Robinson, Mount Notre Dame
Robinson recently won a gold key from the 2024 Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for her work.
—Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2024
The switches can all be customized and keys can be remapped using QMK/VIA.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Foodie experiences, island tours, and boat charters are especially popular, but with limited hotel inventory, early booking is key, notes Agnos.
—Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2024
Given all that’s riding on such predictions, robust data is key.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 20 Apr. 2024
Barely missing its midnight deadline, the Senate voted early Saturday to reauthorize a key U.S. surveillance law after divisions over whether the FBI should be restricted from using the program to search for Americans’ data nearly forced the statute to lapse.
—Farnoush Amiri, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
Murray, a key offensive player for the Kings scored 32 points and tallied eight made 3-pointers in Tuesday’s win over the Golden State Warriors.
—Michael McGough, Sacramento Bee, 20 Apr. 2024
Later, Royals outfielder MJ Melendez added three key insurance runs.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024
Because the microbiome is always in flux, reestablishing balance after infection is key—throwing lots of antibiotics or antifungals at the problem can result in a never-ending game of biological whack-a-mole where one imbalance leads to another.
—Maggie Chen, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
Injuries to key players Walker Zimmerman, Shaq Moore, Tyler Boyd and Randall Leal have been a big factor.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024
Shore Fire Media promoted five staffers to key leadership posts at the 34-year-old public relations agency.
—Marc Schneider, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024
Verb
The Gamecocks made more of an effort to key in on her.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
Mark’s really keyed into that, always looking for combinations of things that have never been thought to be put together.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 5 Apr. 2024
This rout was keyed by the Dodgers’ two biggest offseason acquisitions.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
While Perry was elevating the offense in the third quarter, the Wolverines keyed in on defense too, holding the Lancers to 11 points in the quarter after giving up 41 in the first half.
—Dan Lovi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
In fact, many have already keyed in on retail data as a boon to their media investments.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Through their eyes, the series keys in to the details that reflect how rapidly the previously unthinkable can turn into reality.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2024
Current 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was coaching at Washington under his father, Mike, when Willis’ 11 tackles helped key a 27-6 road win in 2013.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2024
And the study keys in on the exact chemical compounds at play, demonstrating a precise explanation for the problem, says Jeremy Chan, lead study author and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Naples Federico II.
—Popular Science, 8 Feb. 2024
Noun
Microsoft reportedly locked down a server last month that exposed passwords, keys, and credentials of Microsoft employees to the open internet, as the company faces mounting pressure to bolster its software security.
—Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 10 Apr. 2024
Salvador Dali believed naps should be self-limiting and advised taking them while seated in a chair, lightly holding a heavy key in one dangling hand.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
Officers at the scene collected items including the playbook, the check, keys, a credit card and a necklace.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
His sweet, signature falsetto sounds sublime in expertly layered harmonies and melds easily with crisp acoustic guitars, dulcet electric keys, buoyant bass lines, and all sorts of tasteful synth flourishes.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
The victim's wallet, vehicle, phone and house keys were taken.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
In particular, the review board faulted Microsoft (MSFT) for not adequately protecting a sensitive cryptographic key that allowed the hackers to remotely sign into their targets’ Outlook accounts by forging credentials, reports my colleague Sean Lyngaas.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Art & Soul Award Shea Robinson, Mount Notre Dame
Robinson recently won a gold key from the 2024 Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for her work.
—Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2024
The switches can all be customized and keys can be remapped using QMK/VIA.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'key.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near key
Cite this Entry
“Key.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
key
1 of 4 noun
plural keys
1
a
: a small device that is used to open a lock or start an automobile
b
: a device having the form or function of a key
a key for winding a clock
2
: a means of gaining or preventing entrance, possession, or control
3
a
: something that provides an explanation, solution, or means of identifying
the key to a riddle
b
: a series of phrases or statements that describe characteristics by which plants or animals of a particular group differ and are used to aid in identification
c
: a map legend
4
: one of the levers with a flat surface that is pressed by a finger in operating a machine or playing an instrument
5
: a system of seven musical tones arranged in relation to a keynote from which the system is named
the key of C
6
: a characteristic style or tone
7
: a small switch for opening or closing an electric circuit
key
2 of 4 verb
keyed; keying
1
: to adjust the musical pitch of
2
: to bring into harmony
3
: to make nervous, tense, or excited
—usually used with up
all keyed up about the test
4
: to record by operating the keys of a machine
key each price into the cash register
key
3 of 4 adjective
: of great importance
the key people in the organization
the key question is "Can we afford it?"
use key words in an outline
key
4 of 4 noun
: a low island or reef
the Florida Keys
Etymology
Noun
Old English cǣg "key"
Noun
from Spanish cayo "a low island or reef"
Biographical Definition
Key 1 of 2
biographical name (1)
Francis Scott 1779–1843 American lawyer and author of "The Star-Spangled Banner"
Key
2 of 2biographical name (2)
John (Phillip) 1961– prime minister of New Zealand (2008–16)
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