Allen key

British

noun

an L-shaped tool consisting of a rod having a hexagonal cross section, used to turn a screw ( Allen screw ) with a hexagonal recess in the head. A different size of key is required for each size of screw

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Because of this, construction will be very quick. Someday I’d like to make a building where all you need is a giant allen key to put it together.”

From The Guardian • Jul. 7, 2015

Yes - it has a special place in the heart of anyone who's ever struggled with an allen key No - if assembling furniture is your idea of fun, you can go to Ikea instead.

From The Guardian • Aug. 20, 2010

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023