(basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court; usually painted a different color from the rest of the court

“he hit a jump shot from the top of the key”

“he dominates play in the paint”

10noun

a list of answers to a test

“some students had stolen the key to the final exam”

11noun

a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations

12noun

a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access

“a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it”

13noun

mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)

14noun

the central building block at the top of an arch or vault

15noun

a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed

16verb

identify as in botany or biology, for example

17verb

provide with a key

“We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building”

18verb

vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key

“His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot”

19verb

regulate the musical pitch of

20verb

harmonize with or adjust to

“key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude”

Meanings and examples from Open English WordNet 2025. About our sources ↗

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Expressions with “key”

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Explore multiword dictionary entries containing this word. Each has its own meanings and related words.

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