key

¹

[ kee ]

noun

, plural keys.

1. a small metal instrument specially cut to fit into a lock and move its bolt.
2. any of various devices resembling or functioning as a key:

   the key of a clock.

3. key card.
4. something that affords a means of access:

   the key to happiness.

5. something that secures or controls entrance to a place:

   Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.

6. something that affords a means of clarifying a problem.

   Synonyms: pivotal, major, chief, clue, resolution, explanation, answer

7. a book, pamphlet, or other text containing the solutions or translations of material given elsewhere, as testing exercises.
8. a systematic explanation of abbreviations, symbols, etc., used in a dictionary, map, etc.: Compare legend ( def 4 ).

   pronunciation key.

9. the system, method, pattern, etc., used to decode or decipher a cryptogram, as a code book, machine setting, or keyword.
10. one of a set of marked parts, designated areas, or levers pressed in operating a typewriter, computer terminal, calculator, etc.
11. a manually operated lever for opening and closing an electric circuit, used to produce signals in telegraphy.
12. Music.
    1. (in a keyboard instrument) one of the levers that when depressed by the performer sets in motion the playing mechanism.
    2. (on a woodwind instrument) a metal lever that opens and closes a vent.
    3. the relationship perceived between all tones in a given unit of music and a single tone or a keynote; tonality.
    4. the principal tonality of a composition:

       a symphony in the key of C minor.

    5. the keynote or tonic of a scale.
13. tone or pitch, as of voice:

    to speak in a high key.

14. mood or characteristic style, as of expression or thought:

    He writes in a melancholy key.

15. degree of intensity, as of feeling or action.
16. a pin, bolt, wedge, or other piece inserted in a hole or space to lock or hold parts of a mechanism or structure together; a cotter.
17. a small piece of steel fitting into matching slots of a hub of a wheel or the like and the shaft on which the wheel is mounted so that torque is transmitted from one to the other.
18. a contrivance for grasping and turning a bolt, nut, etc.
19. Computers. a field or group of characters within a record that identifies the record, establishing its position among sorted records, and/or provides information about its contents.
20. (in a series of advertisements or announcements soliciting replies) a unique code inserted for each medium used, to determine the relative effectiveness of the media.
21. Electricity.
    1. a device for opening and closing electrical contacts.
    2. a hand-operated switching device ordinarily formed of concealed spring contacts with an exposed handle or push button, capable of switching one or more parts of a circuit.
22. Biology. a systematic tabular classification of the significant characteristics of the members of a group of organisms to facilitate identification and comparison.
23. Masonry. a keystone.
24. Architecture. (in a ribbed vault) a stone, as a boss, at the intersection of two or more ribs.
25. Masonry, Carpentry. a wedge, as for tightening a joint or splitting a stone or timber.
26. Carpentry. a small piece of wood set into a timber across the grain to prevent warping.
27. Building Trades. any grooving or roughness applied to a surface to improve its bond with another surface.
28. Basketball. keyhole ( def 2 ).
29. Photography. the dominant tonal value of a picture, a high-key picture having light tonal values and minimal contrast and a low-key picture being generally dark with minimal contrast.
30. Painting. the tonal value and intensity of a color or range of colors:

    Rembrandt's colors are characterized by their low key.

31. Botany. a samara.
32. Key, a member of the House of Keys.
33. keys, spiritual authority.

adjective

1. essential; central; important:

   a key person in the company;

   key industries.

verb (used with object)

, keyed, key·ing.

1. to regulate or adjust (actions, thoughts, speech, etc.) to a particular state or activity; bring into conformity:

   to key one's speech to the intellectual level of the audience.

2. Music. to regulate the key or pitch of.
3. Painting.
   1. to paint (a picture) in a given key.
   2. to adjust the colors in (a painting) to a particular hue:

      He keyed the painting to brown.

4. to fasten, secure, or adjust with a key, wedge, or the like, as parts of a mechanism.
5. to provide with a key.
6. (in the layout of newspapers, magazines, etc.) to identify, through signs or symbols, the positions of illustrations or pieces of copy in a dummy.
7. to lock with or as if with a key.
8. Masonry. to provide (an arch or vault) with a keystone.
9. Computers. keyboard ( def 4 ).

verb (used without object)

, keyed, key·ing.

1. to use a key.
2. Computers. keyboard ( def 4 ).

verb phrase

1. 1. Football. to watch the position and movements of an opponent in order to anticipate a play:

      The defensive backs keyed on the star receiver.

   2. Also key in on. to single out as of prime importance or interest; be intent on or obsessed with:

      a company that is keyed in on growth.

2. Computers. keyboard ( def 4 ).
3. 1. to bring to a particular degree of intensity of feeling, excitement, energy, nervousness, agitation, etc.:

      keyed up over the impending test.

   2. to raise (a piece of masonry) by the insertion of a wedge or wedges.
   3. to raise (the haunches of an arch) by the insertion of a voussoir.

key

²

[ kee ]

noun

, plural keys.

1. a reef or low island; cay.

key

³

[ kee ]

noun

, Slang.

, plural keys.

1. a kilogram of marijuana or other narcotic drug.

Key

⁴

[ kee ]

noun

1. Francis Scott, 1780–1843, U.S. lawyer: author of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Key

¹

/ kiː /

noun

1. KeyJohn (Phillip)1961MNew ZealandPOLITICS: politicianPOLITICS: prime minister John ( Phillip ). born 1961, New Zealand politician; prime minister from 2008

key

²

/ kiː /

noun

1. a metal instrument, usually of a specifically contoured shape, that is made to fit a lock and, when rotated, operates the lock's mechanism
2. any instrument that is rotated to operate a valve, clock winding mechanism, etc
3. a small metal peg or wedge inserted into keyways
4. any of a set of levers operating a typewriter, computer, etc
5. any of the visible parts of the lever mechanism of a musical keyboard instrument that when depressed set in motion the action that causes the instrument to sound
6. 1. Also calledtonality any of the 24 major and minor diatonic scales considered as a corpus of notes upon which a piece of music draws for its tonal framework
   2. the main tonal centre in an extended composition

      a symphony in the key of F major

   3. the tonic of a major or minor scale
   4. See tuning key
7. something that is crucial in providing an explanation or interpretation

   the key to adult behaviour lies in childhood

8. a means of achieving a desired end

   the key to happiness

9. a means of access or control

   Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean

10. a list of explanations of symbols, codes, etc
11. a text that explains or gives information about a work of literature, art, or music
12. Also calledkey move the correct initial move in the solution of a set problem
13. biology a systematic list of taxonomic characteristics, used to identify animals or plants
14. photog painting the dominant tonal value and colour intensity of a picture See also low-key high-key
15. electrical engineering
    1. a hand-operated device for opening or closing a circuit or for switching circuits
    2. a hand-operated switch that is pressed to transmit coded signals, esp Morse code
16. the grooving or scratching of a surface or the application of a rough coat of plaster, etc, to provide a bond for a subsequent finish
17. pitch

    he spoke in a low key

18. a characteristic mood or style

    a poem in a melancholic key

19. level of intensity

    she worked herself up to a high key

20. railways a wooden wedge placed between a rail and a chair to keep the rail firmly in place
21. a wedge for tightening a joint or for splitting stone or timber
22. short for keystone
23. botany any dry winged fruit, esp that of the ash
24. modifier photog determining the tonal value of a photograph

    flesh colour is an important key tone

adjective

1. of great importance; crucial

   a key issue

verb

1. foll by to to harmonize (with)

   to key one's actions to the prevailing mood

2. to adjust or fasten with a key or some similar device
3. to provide with a key or keys
4. to scratch the paintwork of (a car) with a key
5. often foll by up to locate the position of (a piece of copy, artwork, etc) on a layout by the use of symbols
6. also intr another word for keyboard
7. to include a distinguishing device in (an advertisement, etc), so that responses to it can be identified
8. to provide a keystone for (an arch)

key

³

/ kiː /

noun

1. a variant spelling of cay

key

/ kē /

1. See cay

key

1. The main or central note of a piece of music (or part of a piece of music). Each key has its own scale , beginning and ending on the note that defines the octave of the next scale. The key of C-major uses a scale that starts on C and uses only the white keys of the piano . In a piece composed in the key of C, the music is likely to end on the note C, and certain combinations of notes based on C will predominate.

Derived Forms

• ˈkeyless, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of key¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English key(e), kay(e), Old English cǣg, cǣge; cognate with Old Frisian kei, kai

Origin of key²

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Spanish cayo, probably from Arawak

Origin of key³

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; shortening and respelling of kilogram

Word History and Origins

Origin of key¹

Old English cǣg; related to Old Frisian kēi, Middle Low German keie spear

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. power of the keys, the authority of a pope in ecclesiastical matters, vested in him as successor of St. Peter.

More idioms and phrases containing key

In addition to the idiom beginning with key , also see in key ; under lock and key .

Example Sentences

Some former and current officials say they do not think ex-Washington officials will move many voters in key states.

From Washington Post

The latest decision is another blow to the third-party ticket and a win for Democrats, who worried that the Green Party could siphon votes from presidential nominee Joe Biden in the key battleground state.

From Washington Post

In two cases, key reports were delayed, with officials suggesting their timing was for political reasons.

From Washington Post

Nadia will play a key role in that, both for Slack and for our customers.

From Fortune

With the pandemic still raging, key voters may not be willing to change the subject.

From Washington Post

Getting men to do their share of care and domestic work is a key overlooked strategy in reducing poverty.

From The Daily Beast

By contrast, Solomon can tell us a great deal about what really changed the country—because at key moments, he was there.

From The Daily Beast

The second lesson is that no one writing before the twentieth century holds a key to our problems.

From The Daily Beast

As with so many things, keeping screen time in moderate amounts seems key.

From The Daily Beast

The opposition responded with a month-long Occupy Abay (like Occupy Wall St) campaign, in which Udaltsov was one of key figures.

From The Daily Beast

Mr. Jones swung round a large iron key he held in his hand, and light dawned upon him.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Collingwood, taking the key from his mother, locked the little door in the boarding, after them.

From Project Gutenberg

About her neck was hung a covered basket and a door-key; and Davy at once concluded that she was Sindbad's house-keeper.

From Project Gutenberg

The girl smiled, and drew out a large key, and nodded, still smiling as she replaced it.

From Project Gutenberg

The friends were standing close to the wall; but on these sounds they moved away; and a key presently turned in the door.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• basic
• crucial
• decisive
• fundamental
• indispensable
• leading
• main
• major
• pivotal
• primary
• principal
• vital