key

1 /ki:/ adjective very important and necessary for success or to understand something: Put your most experienced players in the key positions. | key points/questions/issues etc (=most important): You can summarize the key points of his speech in a few lines. | key mover/player (=most important person in achieving a result, change etc) 2 noun (C)

1 LOCK a small specially shaped piece of metal which you put into a lock and turn in order to lock or unlock a door, start a car etc

2 IMPORTANT PART the key the part of a plan, action, etc, that everything else depends on

(+ to): Concentration is the key to effective study.

3 MACHINE/MUSICAL INSTRUMENT the part of a machine, computer, or musical instrument that you press with your fingers to make it work: Press the ESCAPE key to exit. | She ran her fingers over the piano keys.

4 MUSICAL NOTES a set of musical notes with a particular base note, and the quality of sound that they have: a tune played in the key of C

5 MAP/DRAWING the part of a map, technical drawing etc that explains the signs etc on it

6 ISLAND a small flat island, especially one near the coast of Florida: the Florida Keys

7 TEST ANSWERS the printed answers to a test or to the questions in a textbook 1 that are used to check your work

-see also: low-key 3 verb (T) especially BrE to prepare a surface so that a covering such as paint will stick to it key sth in phrasal verb (T) to put information into a computer by using a keyboard 1 (1) -see also: keyed up key sth to sth phrasal verb (transitive usually passive) especially AmE to slightly change a system, plan etc so that it works well with something else: be keyed to the needs of (=match the needs of): The daycare hours are keyed to the needs of working parents.