key

key

I

key¹ S3 W2 /kiː/ adjective [no comparative]
very important or necessary:
    China’s support is key to the success of the coalition.
    key factor/points/questions etc
    The President makes all the key decisions on foreign policy.
    key role/player/figure etc (=one with a lot of influence on a result)
    The show has been hit by the departure of key personnel.
⇨ low-key
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ nouns
   ▪ a key factor (=a very important factor) A key factor in starting any business is its location.
   ▪ a key element/feature/component (=a very important part) Advertising is a key element in the success of a product.
   ▪ a key role Sanders played a key role in the team’s winning season.
   ▪ a key area What are the key areas of economic policy?
   ▪ a key issue/question/point The environment became a key issue during the election.
   ▪ a key figure (=a key person) She was a key figure in the election campaign.
   ▪ a key player He won’t leave key players out of the team.
   ▪ a key witness (=someone who can give important information about a crime) She will be a key witness in the murder trial.
   ▪ a key decision Women made most of the key decisions about how money was spent in the household.
   ▪ a key word (=an important or useful word) Once you know the key words, you can make your own sentence.

II

key² S2 W2 noun [countable]
1.  LOCK a small specially shaped piece of metal that you put into a lock and turn in order to lock or unlock a door, start a car etc
    house/car keys
    I lost my house keys.
    A bunch of keys hung from his belt.
    key to
    I can lend you a spare key to the store until you get one cut (=made).
  ► Do not say ‘the key of’ something. Say the key to something. ⇨ master key
2.  IMPORTANT PART the key the part of a plan, action etc that will make it possible for it to succeed
    the key to
    Working well as a team is the key to success.
    a discovery that may hold the key to our understanding of the universe
3.  COMPUTER the buttons that you press on a computer keyboard to operate the computer:
    Press the ‘Escape’ key to exit.
    hot key/shortcut key (=a special key on a computer, that does specific things)
4.  MUSIC
  a. [usually plural] the wooden or metal parts that you press on a piano and some wind instruments in order to play them:
    piano keys
  b. a scale of notes that begins with one particular note, or the quality of sound this scale has:
    a tune in the key of A minor
5.  MAP/DRAWING a list of the signs, colours etc used on a map or technical drawing etc that explains what they mean
6.  TEST the printed answers to a test or set of questions in a book
7.  ISLAND  [usually plural] a small flat island, especially one that is part of a group near the coast:
    the Florida Keys
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + key
   ▪ a spare key (=an extra key) Never hide your spare key under the doormat.
   ▪ door key I’ll get a new door key cut for you.
   ▪ car keys She left her car keys on the hall table.
   ▪ house keys I’ve lost my house keys.
   ▪ the front/back door key She felt in her pocket for the front door key.
   ▪ the ignition key (=the key that starts a car or engine) Sam turned the ignition key and drove slowly away.
■ phrases
   ▪ a bunch/set of keys (=a group of keys kept together) He took out a huge bunch of keys and unlocked the door.
   ▪ the key to a door/house/cupboard (=the key that opens a door/house/cupboard) Has anyone seen the key to the garage door?
■ verbs
   ▪ put a key in a lock/the door I put the key in the lock, but it wouldn’t turn.
   ▪ insert a key formal (=put it in a lock) She inserted the key into the lock.
   ▪ turn a key He climbed into his car and turned the key.
   ▪ cut a key (=make one) Could you get a key cut for me?
   ▪ jangle your keys (=move them so they make a ringing sound) He walked off down the corridor, jangling his keys.
   ▪ a key unlocks/opens something The largest key unlocks the front door.
   ▪ a key turns We heard the key turn in the lock.

III

key³ verb [transitive]
1. American English informal if you key a win for your team, you help it win a game because you play very well:
    Abdul keyed the game with three touchdowns.
2. British English to prepare a surface so that a covering such as paint will stick to it
     
key something ↔ in phrasal verb
  to put information into a computer or other machine, using buttons or a keyboard:
    Key in your password and press ‘Return’.
key something to something phrasal verb American English
  1. to make or change a system so that it works well with something else:
    The daycare hours are keyed to the needs of working parents.
  2. if the level, price, or value of something is keyed to something else, it is related to it and they rise and fall at the same time:
    Pensions are keyed to the rate of inflation.
  ⇨ keyed up

Key
Key, Francis Scott
(1779–1843) a US poet, who wrote the words of The Star-Spangled Banner, the national anthem (=official song) of the US