key | sense examples, Usage and Definition from wordnet dictionary online

Adjective key has 2 senses

cardinal, central, fundamental, key, primal - serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure"
Antonym: unimportant (indirect, via important)
operative, key - effective; producing a desired effect; "the operative word"
Antonyms: insignificant, unimportant (indirect, via significant)

,Noun key has 15 senses

key - metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
--₁ is a kind of device
--₁ has parts: shank, stem
--₁ has particulars:
ignition key; latchkey; passkey, passe-partout, master key, master

Derived forms: verb key₃, verb key₂
key - something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration"
--₂ is a kind of explanation
key - pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key"
--₃ is a kind of pitch

Derived form: verb key₄
key, tonality - any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
--₄ is a kind of musical notation
--₄ has particulars:
major key, major mode; minor key, minor mode; tonic key, home key

Derived form: verb key₄
key - a kilogram of a narcotic drug; "they were carrying two keys of heroin"
--₅ is a kind of kilogram, kg, kilo
samara, key fruit, key - a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple
--₆ is a kind of achene
Key, Francis Scott Key - United States lawyer and poet who wrote a poem after witnessing the British attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812; the poem was later set to music and entitled `The Star-Spangled Banner' (1779-1843)
--₇ is a kind of lawyer, attorney; poet
key, cay, Florida keys - a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
--₈ is a kind of coral reef
--₈ is a part of Florida, Sunshine State, Everglade State, FL
key, paint - (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"
--₉ is a kind of space
--₉ is a part of basketball court
--₉ has parts: foul line
key - a list of answers to a test; "some students had stolen the key to the final exam"
--₁₀ is a kind of list, listing
key - a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations
--₁₁ is a kind of list, listing
--₁₁ has particulars: key word
key - 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"
--₁₂ is a kind of positive identification
winder, key - mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)
--₁₃ is a kind of mechanical device
--₁₃ has particulars: watch key
keystone, key, headstone - the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
--₁₄ is a kind of building block
--₁₄ is a part of arch
--₁₄ has particulars: quoin, coign, coigne
key - a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed
--₁₅ is a kind of lever
--₁₅ is a part of action, action mechanism
--₁₅ is a member of keyboard
--₁₅ has particulars:
backspace key, backspacer; control key, command key; return key, return; space bar; tab key, tab; telegraph key

,Verb key has 5 senses

identify, discover, key, key out, distinguish, describe, name - identify as in botany or biology, for example
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something
key - provide with a key; "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"
--₂ is one way to supply, provide, render, furnish

Derived form: noun key₁
Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s somebody
key - vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"
--₃ is one way to vandalize, vandalise

Derived form: noun key₁
Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s something
key - regulate the musical pitch of
--₄ is one way to harmonize, harmonise, chord

Derived forms: noun key₃, noun key₄
Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s something PP
key - harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"
--₅ is one way to harmonize, harmonise, reconcile
Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s somebody PP