key to
phrasal verb
keyed to; keying to; keys to
chiefly US
1
: to make (something) suitable for (a particular use or type of person)
I try to key my lectures to my audience.
—often used as (be) keyed toThe educational program is keyed to the needs of working women.
2
: to change (something) in a way that is closely related to (something else)
—usually used as (be) keyed to
The amount of money they receive is keyed to the rate of inflation.
Examples of key to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The ironore deposits of the western Mediterranean became key to the prosperity of those civilizations in the east.
—
Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Complete dryness is key to saving seeds.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Taurus April 20 – May 20 Measured movements are key to personal management.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
The key to this style, according to Boozer, is blunt, no layers cut that hits at or just above the shoulder.
—Jennifer Hussein, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for key to
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Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Complete dryness is key to saving seeds.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Taurus April 20 – May 20 Measured movements are key to personal management.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
The key to this style, according to Boozer, is blunt, no layers cut that hits at or just above the shoulder.
—Jennifer Hussein, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for key to
Cite this Entry
“Key to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20to. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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