keynoun [ C ]
uk/kiː/us/kiː/key noun [ C ] (LOCK)
A1 a piece of metal that has been cut into a special shape and is used for opening or closing a lock, starting a car engine, etc.:
More examples
- She fumbled around in her handbag, looking for her key.
- I heard someone turn a key in the lock.
- Give me the car keys - you're in no fit state to drive.
- She suddenly remembered (that) her keys were in her other bag.
- Please hand in your keys at reception on your departure from the hotel.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Building: locks & locksmithing
- bolt
- catch
- combination
- deadbolt
- deadlock
- fastener
- fastening
- hasp
- key ring
- keycard
- keyhole
- latch
- lock
- locksmith
- master key
- mortise lock
- padlock
- pass key
- skeleton key
- Yale lock
key noun [ C ] (PART)
B2 any of the set of moving parts that you press with your fingers on a computer keyboard, or musical instrument to produce letters, numbers, symbols, or musical notes
Examples
- If you press this key, the computer screen will clear .
- Press and hold down the control key while you press '9'.
- Press the return key twice to leave a blank line.
- Use this key to toggle between the two typefaces.
- He ran his fingers over the piano keys.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Machines - parts
- ball bearing
- bearing
- clutch
- cog
- cogwheel
- hub
- inlet
- input
- jet
- lever
- manifold
- pedal
- rack and pinion
- ratchet
- slide
- soft key
- stepney
- timer
- vee belt
- wheel
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key noun [ C ] (MUSICAL NOTES)
a set of musical notes based on one particular note:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Technical music terms
- accidental
- adagio
- andante
- antiphonal
- arpeggio
- arr
- arrange
- cadence
- harmonic
- harmony
- key signature
- legato
- mike check
- motif
- timbre
- tremolo
- tuning
- twelve-tone
- twelve-tone scale
- unison
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key noun [ C ] (SYMBOLS)
a list of the symbols used in a map or book with explanations of what they mean
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Maps & map-making
- cartographer
- chart
- coastline
- contour
- elevation
- GPS
- grid reference
- isohyet
- isoline
- isotherm
- map
- meridian
- os
- plotter
- pt
- satnav
- survey
- the prime meridian
- time zone
- triangulation
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key noun [ C ] (ANSWERS)
A2 a list of the answers to the questions in an exercise or test:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Solving and solutions
- answer
- antidote
- band-aid solution
- be at the bottom of sth idiom
- clear (sth) up
- clue
- conquer
- conquerable
- fall
- figure
- iron sth out
- kill or cure idiom
- lateral thinking
- magic wand
- modus vivendi
- round
- solution
- talk sth out
- work through sth
- workaround
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Idiom(s)
keyadjective
uk/kiː/us/kiː/B2 very important and having a lot of influence on other people or things:
More examples
- I think there is one key fact that you have overlooked.
- The key witness for the prosecution was offered police protection after she received death threats.
- The control of inflation is a key component of the government's economic policy.
- Delegation of responsibility is a key part of a manager's job.
- The economy is regarded as the key factor which will determine the outcome of the general election.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Very important or urgent
- all-important
- arch
- at all cost(s) idiom
- be a matter of life and/or death idiom
- burning
- chief
- considerable
- critical
- major league
- make the world go around/round idiom
- materially
- minor league
- mission-critical
- prized
- prominent
- radical
- sacred
- salient
- seriously
- substantial
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keyverb [ T ]
uk/kiː/us/kiː/to intentionally damage a car by scratching its paint using a key: