turnkey

American  

[turn-kee] / ˈtɜrnˌki /

noun

turnkeys plural

1. a person who has charge of the keys of a prison; jailer.

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adjective

1. Also turn-key of, relating to, or resulting from an arrangement under which a private contractor designs and constructs a project, building, etc., for sale when completely ready for occupancy or operation.

   turn-key housing, turnkey contract.

2. fully equipped; ready to go into operation.

   a turnkey business.

turnkey British  

/ ˈtɜːnˌkiː /

noun

1. archaic a keeper of the keys, esp in a prison; warder or jailer

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adjective

1. denoting a project, as in civil engineering, in which a single contractor has responsibility for the complete job from the start to the time of installation or occupancy

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• turnkeys
  plural

Etymology

Origin of turnkey

First recorded in 1645–55; turn + key ¹

Example Sentences

After the way things soured with Turnkey, there was a question as to whether Folt would use a search firm again.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2023

In our view, Kliavkoff is a deeply decent individual and smart business executive who was poorly suited for the task assigned by the presidents and the search firm of record, Turnkey ZRG.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2023

In USC’s case, in the fall of 2019, the school decided it wasn’t enough to leave all of the vetting to Turnkey.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2023

Gladchuk said he spoke with many candidates and used search firm Turnkey to help.

From Washington Post • Dec. 20, 2022

Look, you, Mr. Turnkey," said I, "there is one thing that such fellows as you are set over us for, and another thing that you are not.

From Caleb Williams Or Things as They Are by Godwin, William