Meaning

• Noun

  1. key (object that opens and closes a lock)
  2. key (object that is inserted into a device and rotated to activate it)
  3. any of several tools designed to turn screws, bolts, nuts, etc., especially a spanner
  4. curly bracket (name of the characters { and })
  5. key (crucial step, element or requirement)
  6. keys (free access to something)
  7. key; password
  8. key (a string used to encode or decode text)
  9. key (value that identifies a row in a table)
  10. a key of a wind instrument
  11. tuning lever; tuning wrench; hammer (tool used to tune certain stringed instruments)
  12. winder (key or knob used to wind a clockwork mechanism)
  13. the switch of a circuit breaker
  14. the clue to an answer
  15. group; pool (in a tournament, a set of players or team who play against one another)
  16. joint lock
  17. the mechanism that activates a switch
  18. the keystone of a vault
  19. (obsolete) Synonym of clave
  20. clavis; key (groups of information used for identifying a taxon)

• Adj