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
Diversifying your investments is key to balancing risk and reward.
—
Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
Some thought the issue would not be key to his agenda.
—Richard Pérez-Peña Tyler Pager Genevieve Glatsky Liam Stack, New York Times, 10 May 2025
But about a quarter of women in the U.S. are behind on such screenings, and medical experts say reducing that is key to the ultimate goal of eliminating cervical cancer.
—Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 10 May 2025
The Big Data Poll also found that 52.9 percent of Hispanic voters, a group that was key to Trump's election victory in November, still approve of the president.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for key to
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
Some thought the issue would not be key to his agenda.
—Richard Pérez-Peña Tyler Pager Genevieve Glatsky Liam Stack, New York Times, 10 May 2025
But about a quarter of women in the U.S. are behind on such screenings, and medical experts say reducing that is key to the ultimate goal of eliminating cervical cancer.
—Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 10 May 2025
The Big Data Poll also found that 52.9 percent of Hispanic voters, a group that was key to Trump's election victory in November, still approve of the president.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
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 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share