key in WordNet English dictionary

1. 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"
   cardinal  central  fundamental  key  primal 
   

1. a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
   key  cay  Florida key 
   
2. the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
   keystone  key  headstone 
   
3. metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
   key 
   
4. a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed
   key 
   
5. mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)
   winder  key 
   
6. pitch of the voice
   "he spoke in a low key"
   key 
   
7. something crucial for explaining
   "the key to development is economic integration"
   key 
   
8. any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
   key  tonality 
   
9. 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"
   key 
   
10. a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations
    key 
    
11. a list of answers to a test
    "some students had stolen the key to the final exam"
    key 
    
12. (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"
    key  paint 
    
13. a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple
    samara  key fruit  key 
    
14. a kilogram of a narcotic drug
    "they were carrying two keys of heroin"
    key 
    

1. identify as in botany or biology, for example
   identify  discover  key  key out  distinguish  describe  name 
   
2. harmonize with or adjust to
   "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"
   key 
   
3. regulate the musical pitch of
   key 
   
4. vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key
   "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"
   key 
   
5. provide with a key
   "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"
   key