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
There is always a temptation to use aggregated data for commercial purposes, and resisting that temptation will be key to maintaining user trust.
—
Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Why does an Ivy League school hold the key to Ojibwe reclaiming sacred site?
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Camera key to Mars discoveries The Left Mastcam-Z camera on the Perseverance can capture panoramic color and 3D images of the planet's surface, according to NASA, allowing scientists and observers to see Martian features more clearly.
—James Powel, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
A week ago, a jargon-sprouting Ellison seemed less like a mogul in the making and more like the guy who just got handed the keys to his new Paramount ride.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key to
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Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Why does an Ivy League school hold the key to Ojibwe reclaiming sacred site?
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Camera key to Mars discoveries The Left Mastcam-Z camera on the Perseverance can capture panoramic color and 3D images of the planet's surface, according to NASA, allowing scientists and observers to see Martian features more clearly.
—James Powel, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
A week ago, a jargon-sprouting Ellison seemed less like a mogul in the making and more like the guy who just got handed the keys to his new Paramount ride.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2025.
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