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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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On Tuesday, Iranian state media also said that Tehran had hit a small Omani island that is key to aiding the navigation of ships transiting the waterway.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2026

It is not problematic in its own right to try to coach a player into a key role, but City have looked exposed through the middle of the pitch more often in recent games.

From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2026

On paper, veterans often appear financially secure, outperforming civilians on key long-term benchmarks.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 11, 2026

He said modern AI is like "a key that would allow you to steal every car that you could see."

From Barron's ● Nov. 11, 2026

“If I were Ella St. Clay and I wanted to protect each page, what better way than to entrust each key with the one person who lived through the story!”

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

These keys are used by customers on Railway’s platform to run their AI applications.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026

He will be driven along Montevideo's waterfront promenade in a custom-made popemobile, before meeting left-wing President Yamandu Orsi and receiving the keys to the city.

From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026

To investigate, he put an Apple AirTag - a coin-sized tracking device people attach to keys or wallets in case they lose them - inside one of the stones.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

As Hexum told him about her trip, he began to type, the clacking of the keys echoing through the terminal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

Instead, Gibby reached into her pocket and pulled out her keys.

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Investors keyed in on slowing growth in new U.S. commercial contracts, which raised questions about how long the company can keep delivering standout corporate results.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026

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

From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026

It keyed me in on how show business works, down to production elements and how filmmaking comes together.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 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 has not keyed his handset in hours, which means he is asleep.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

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

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 9, 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

Once again, the internet flooded with Black Flag memes keying on the considerable age gap between Ginn, who is 70, and his new bandmates who look many decades, if not generations, younger.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2025

In the nearby city of San José, a man was arrested March 17 for allegedly keying a Tesla parked in a Costco lot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2025

After a moment of keying the name into the computer, he shook his head.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny


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