church key

noun

: an implement with a triangular pointed head at one end for piercing the tops of cans and often with a rounded head at the other end for opening bottles

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of church key was circa 1951

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Church key.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/church%20key. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster