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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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Below are some key types of companies that could end up facing high-profile hearings on Capitol Hill, congressional investigations or other types of inquiries.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 3, 2026

Cartier’s sales have been booming as the brand does a good job of attracting customers at different ends of the income spectrum, which might now be the key to success in a K-shaped economy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

This year, temperature records have already been broken in a key region of the central-eastern Pacific, with daily sea surface temperatures now exceeding the previous record set during the very strong El Niño of 2015.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

The projects would have helped conserve the imperiled spiky succulents that draw millions of visitors to Joshua Tree each year and play a key role as a linchpin of the Mojave Desert ecosystem.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

He was a key and a glass portal away from being closer to seeing Pili again.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

The story was inspired by Davies’ former neighbor, who sometimes used his keys to let himself into the writer’s house.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

"This is the day we take back the keys to our own house," Mines Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba said at the opening.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

Thousands of people marched through the streets of Madrid rattling keys and blowing whistles to call for measures to curb rising housing costs and make evictions more difficult.

From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026

Every offseason, the Hurricanes toss the keys to their program to a passer who just walked in the door.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

Clara pulled keys from the pocket of her skirt.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Health officials have keyed in on iceberg lettuce as a potential source.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026

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

From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026

Sierra Canyon scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a one-run lead, keyed by an RBI double from Brayden Goldstein and a bases loaded walk.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026

The company appeared to use a mix of derivative contracts, including options, that were keyed off oil prices.

From Barron's ● Mar. 24, 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

He consulted his notes, keying in on one thing in particular.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles




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