keychain

or key chain

[ kee-cheyn ]

noun

1. a key ring with an attached ornament or other object, a short chain, or a leather or plastic loop, etc.:

   This great little light fits on my keychain and runs 150 hours on an ordinary watch battery.

2. a chain for carrying keys, often worn hanging from a belt:

   We always knew when the school janitor was near, because he carried this massive keychain on his belt that jangled with every step.

Word History and Origins

Origin of keychain¹

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

“When I realized, from the big silver keychain, that they were guards, I lightly brushed the chain.”

From Salon

The lip balm “comes with an adorbz keychain” and “will make your crush text u back,” the company says on its website.

From Los Angeles Times

Each bag included a pair of Nike Shox contributed by Nike L.A., a custom keychain with charms personal to each Image Maker and a bandanna featuring every Image logo ever commissioned, created by Image’s design director Jessica de Jesus.

From Los Angeles Times

Every lap he ran around the soccer field during Friday recess put him closer to earning prizes, like a keychain with a tiny foot.

From Seattle Times

She arranged duplicate keys for their Kyiv apartment and ordered a keychain with the message, “I love you very much. We’re waiting for you at home.”

From Seattle Times