something that affords a means of access: the key to happiness.
something that secures or controls entrance to a place: Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.
something that affords a means of clarifying a problem.
a book, pamphlet, or other text containing the solutions or translations of material given elsewhere, as testing exercises.
a systematic explanation of abbreviations, symbols, etc., used in a dictionary, map, etc.: pronunciation key.Compare legend.
the system, method, pattern, etc., used to decode or decipher a cryptogram, as a code book, machine setting, or keyword.
one of a set of marked parts, designated areas, or levers pressed in operating a typewriter, computer terminal, calculator, etc.
a manually operated lever for opening and closing an electric circuit, used to produce signals in telegraphy.
Music. one of the levers that when depressed by the performer sets in motion the playing mechanism. a metal lever that opens and closes a vent.the relationship perceived between all tones in a given unit of music and a single tone or a keynote; tonality. the principal tonality of a composition: a symphony in the key of C minor.the keynote or tonic of a scale.
tone or pitch, as of voice: to speak in a high key.
mood or characteristic style, as of expression or thought: He writes in a melancholy key.
degree of intensity, as of feeling or action.
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.
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.
a contrivance for grasping and turning a bolt, nut, etc.
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.
a unique code inserted for each medium used, to determine the relative effectiveness of the media.
Electricity. a device for opening and closing electrical contacts.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.
Biology. a systematic tabular classification of the significant characteristics of the members of a group of organisms to facilitate identification and comparison.
Masonry. a keystone.
Architecture. a stone, as a boss, at the intersection of two or more ribs.
Masonry, Carpentry. a wedge, as for tightening a joint or splitting a stone or timber.
Carpentry. a small piece of wood set into a timber across the grain to prevent warping.
Building Trades. any grooving or roughness applied to a surface to improve its bond with another surface.
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.
Painting. the tonal value and intensity of a color or range of colors: Rembrandt's colors are characterized by their low key.
key on,Football.to watch the position and movements of an opponent in order to anticipate a play: The defensive backs keyed on the star receiver.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.
key up, to bring to a particular degree of intensity of feeling, excitement, energy, nervousness, agitation, etc.: keyed up over the impending test.to raise by the insertion of a wedge or wedges.to raise by the insertion of a voussoir.
Some former and current officials say they do not think ex-Washington officials will move many voters in key states.
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.
In two cases, key reports were delayed, with officials suggesting their timing was for political reasons.
Nadia will play a key role in that, both for Slack and for our customers.
With the pandemic still raging, key voters may not be willing to change the subject.
Getting men to do their share of care and domestic work is a key overlooked strategy in reducing poverty.
By contrast, Solomon can tell us a great deal about what really changed the country—because at key moments, he was there.
The second lesson is that no one writing before the twentieth century holds a key to our problems.
As with so many things, keeping screen time in moderate amounts seems key.
The opposition responded with a month-long Occupy Abay (like Occupy Wall St) campaign, in which Udaltsov was one of key figures.
Mr. Jones swung round a large iron key he held in his hand, and light dawned upon him.
Mr. Collingwood, taking the key from his mother, locked the little door in the boarding, after them.
About her neck was hung a covered basket and a door-key; and Davy at once concluded that she was Sindbad's house-keeper.
The girl smiled, and drew out a large key, and nodded, still smiling as she replaced it.
The friends were standing close to the wall; but on these sounds they moved away; and a key presently turned in the door.