Alt key

[awlt]

noun

Computers.

1. either of two keys on a PC keyboard that is held down while pressing another key, as to perform a specific operation or type a special character.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Alt key¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

The US International Keyboard gives you two ways to add a special character: Use the right-hand Alt key in combination with the appropriate letter to get one of the more common combinations.

Read more on The Verge

He warned them that the system had a glitch and that hitting the Alt key would trigger a crash.

Read more on Science Magazine

The experimenter then accused the students of hitting the Alt key.

Read more on Science Magazine

If you’re a writer, you already know how difficult it is to remember the alt key codes for the em dash, so this will certainly simplify things.

Read more on The Verge

To reveal the keyboard shortcuts for a ribbon, just press the Alt key.

Read more on The Guardian