KEYS - Definition & Meaning for Kids

Meaning 1

Part of speech: Adjective (satellite)

serving as an essential component

Example: a cardinal rule; the central cause of the problem; an example that was fundamental to the argument; computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure

Meaning 2

Part of speech: Noun

United States lawyer and poet who wrote a poem after witnessing the British attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812

Example: the poem was later set to music and entitled `The Star-Spangled Banner' (1779-1843)

Meaning 3

Part of speech: Noun

a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple

Meaning 4

Part of speech: Noun

a kilogram of a narcotic drug

Example: they were carrying two keys of heroin

Meaning 5

Part of speech: Noun

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

Meaning 6

Part of speech: Noun

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

Meaning 7

Part of speech: Noun

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

Meaning 8

Part of speech: Noun

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

Meaning 9

Part of speech: Noun

pitch of the voice

Example: he spoke in a low key

Meaning 10

Part of speech: Noun

something crucial for explaining

Example: the key to development is economic integration

Meaning 11

Part of speech: Noun

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

Example: a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it

Meaning 12

Part of speech: Noun

a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations

Meaning 13

Part of speech: Noun

a list of answers to a test

Example: some students had stolen the key to the final exam

Meaning 14

Part of speech: Noun

any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music

Meaning 15

Part of speech: Noun

(basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court

Example: 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

Meaning 16

Part of speech: Noun

a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida

Meaning 17

Part of speech: Verb

vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key

Example: His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot

Meaning 18

Part of speech: Verb

provide with a key

Example: We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building

Meaning 19

Part of speech: Verb

harmonize with or adjust to

Example: key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude

Meaning 20

Part of speech: Verb

regulate the musical pitch of

Meaning 21

Part of speech: Verb

identify as in botany or biology, for example