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Definitions

key

[kee] / ki /


NOUN
item that unlocks
Synonyms
Antonyms




Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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“Investors viewed the weaker payrolls backdrop as reducing the likelihood of near-term Fed tightening, thereby easing a key valuation headwind for risk assets,” said Chew.

From MarketWatch Aug. 11, 2026

One key reason is that while semiconductors are hyper-cyclical, healthcare is noncyclical.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 11, 2026

And he said a key advantage was that it was likely to be cheaper than other weight-loss treatments, which have tended to be tightly restricted by the NHS.

From BBC Aug. 10, 2026

Turkish lawmakers on Monday voted through a bill offering limited amnesty for Kurdish PKK militants, a key step in the peace process that seeks to end decades of deadly violence.

From Barron's Aug. 10, 2026

I shove the letter back in the chest, put the padlock on it and zip the key into my pocket.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Some years later a cat keyboard emerged, featuring keys that activated hammers to which pins were attached.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 7, 2026

Smarter timing may be one of the keys to making cancer treatment more effective.

From Science Daily Jul. 22, 2026

Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has described the agreement as removing "the physical barriers of a bygone era of friction" while keeping "the keys to our own front door".

From Barron's Jul. 14, 2026

Pelosi said she is largely handing over the keys to managing the institute and its programming to Berkeley, while lending her name, congressional expertise and contacts to foster its growth.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 29, 2026

Danny took a deep breath and said, “You can have the keys if you let my friends go unharmed.”

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

The emotional tone of each vocal performance is beautifully keyed to each song’s context.

From Salon Jul. 14, 2026

In 2023, trio keyed in on the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores, a short distance from Ruben Flores’ house.

From Los Angeles Times May 6, 2026

Among them are working drawings that prescribe the profile of every block of stone, each keyed to its exact place in the building, whether gable, tracery or buttress.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 18, 2026

Morgan also predicts selling of about $4.7 billion of gold keyed off the Bloomberg index rebalancing, following the metal’s gain during 2025.

From Barron's Jan. 2, 2026

He was so keyed to go that if a paddock official rang the saddling bell, he would lunge from his stall and drag his handlers toward the track.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

In an interview with Axios published Sunday, Trump said “We are low keying it” with Iran.

From MarketWatch Aug. 9, 2026

Blindfolded, I felt Theatre Obscura was mostly playing off our fears rather than giving in to them, largely keying in on our anticipation that something may happen to us when stripped of sight.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 26, 2026

Caswill gets it, keying into credible, lived-in details, like Kenna’s tiny glance at the price tag on a stuffed animal that she’s considering for Diem.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 12, 2026

“When the market is keying off fundamentals, around earnings season of these companies, these stocks rally,” Slimmon said.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 18, 2025

“IT’S A NIGHTMARE,” Alex groaned, keying in Travel Agents in the Internet search engine.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr




Vocabulary lists containing key


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