key

A1
Pronunciation
/kiː/
/ki/
Noun
35 definition(s)
1 Definition

An object designed to open and close a lock.

2 Definition

An object designed to fit between two other objects (such as a shaft and a wheel) in a mechanism and maintain their relative orientation.

3 Definition

A crucial step or requirement.

Example Sentences
  • The key to solving this problem is persistence.
4 Definition

A guide explaining the symbols or terminology of a map or chart; a legend.

Example Sentences
  • The key says that A stands for the accounting department.
5 Definition

A guide to the correct answers of a worksheet or test.

Example Sentences
  • Some students cheated by using the answer key.
6 Definition

One of several small, usually square buttons on a typewriter or computer keyboard, mostly corresponding to text characters.

Example Sentences
  • Press the Escape key.
7 Definition

In musical instruments, one of the valve levers used to select notes, such as a lever opening a hole on a woodwind.

8 Definition

In instruments with a keyboard such as an organ or piano, one of the levers, or especially the exposed front end of it, which are depressed to cause a particular sound or note to be produced.

9 Definition

The lowest note of a scale; keynote.

10 Definition

In musical theory, the total melodic and harmonic relations, which exist between the tones of an ideal scale, major or minor; tonality.

11 Definition

In musical theory and notation, the tonality centering in a given tone, or the several tones taken collectively, of a given scale, major or minor.

12 Definition

In musical notation, a sign at the head of a staff indicating the musical key.

13 Definition

The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance.

14 Definition

A modification of an advertisement so as to target a particular group or demographic.

15 Definition

An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, such as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara.

16 Definition

A manual electrical switching device primarily used for the transmission of Morse code.

17 Definition

A piece of information (e.g. a passphrase) used to encode or decode a message or messages.

18 Definition

A password restricting access to an IRC channel.

19 Definition

In a relational database, a field used as an index into another table (not necessarily unique).

20 Definition

A value that uniquely identifies an entry in a container.

21 Definition

The free-throw lane together with the circle surrounding the free-throw line, the free-throw lane having formerly been narrower, giving the area the shape of a skeleton key hole.

Example Sentences
  • He shoots from the top of the key.
22 Definition

A series of logically organized groups of discriminating information which aims to allow the user to correctly identify a taxon.

23 Definition

A piece of wood used as a wedge.

24 Definition

The last board of a floor when laid down.

25 Definition

A keystone.

26 Definition

That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.

27 Definition

A wooden support for a rail on the bullhead rail system.

28 Definition

The degree of roughness, or retention ability of a surface to have applied a liquid such as paint, or glue.

Example Sentences
  • The door panel should be sanded down carefully to provide a good key for the new paint.
29 Definition

The thirty-third card of the Lenormand deck.

30 Definition

(print and film) The black ink layer, especially in relation to the three color layers of cyan, magenta, and yellow. See also CMYK.

31 Definition

A color to be masked or made transparent.

32 Definition

One of a string of small islands.

Example Sentences
  • the Florida Keys
33 Definition

A stone or concrete structure on navigable water used for loading and unloading vessels; a wharf.

34 Definition

In the International System of Units, the base unit of mass; conceived of as the mass of one litre of water, but now defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the Planck constant h to be 6.626 070 15 × 10-34 when expressed in units of kg⋅m2⋅s−1. Symbol: kg

35 Definition

The unit of weight such that a one-kilogram mass is also a one-kilogram weight.

Verb
12 definition(s)
1 Definition

To fit (a lock) with a key.

2 Definition

To fit (pieces of a mechanical assembly) with a key to maintain the orientation between them.

3 Definition

To mark or indicate with a symbol indicating membership in a class.

4 Definition

(telegraphy and radio telegraphy) To depress (a telegraph key).

5 Definition

To operate (the transmitter switch of a two-way radio).

6 Definition

(more usually to key in) To enter (information) by typing on a keyboard or keypad.

Example Sentences
  • Our instructor told us to key in our user IDs.
7 Definition

To vandalize (a car, etc.) by scratching with an implement such as a key.

Example Sentences
  • He keyed the car that had taken his parking spot.
8 Definition

To link (as one might do with a key or legend).

9 Definition

To be identified as a certain taxon when using a key.

10 Definition

To modify (an advertisement) so as to target a particular group or demographic.

11 Definition

To attune to; to set at; to pitch.

12 Definition

To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges.

Adjective
2 definition(s)
1 Definition

Indispensable, supremely important.

Example Sentences
  • He is the key player on his soccer team.
2 Definition

Important, salient.

Example Sentences
  • She makes several key points.