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Control key

American  
[kuhn-trohl kee] / kənˈtroʊl ˌki /

noun

Computers.

  1. either of two keys on a PC keyboard that is held down while pressing another key, as to issue a command.

control key British  

noun

  1. a key on the keyboard of a computer that is used in conjunction with the standard keys in order to initiate a specific function, such as editing

"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

Etymology

Origin of Control key

First recorded in 1975–80

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.

You can also press the Control key plus a symbol and then the letter you want to accent.

From The Verge • Apr. 26, 2022

WordWeb lets you look up words in Microsoft Word and other applications by holding down the Control key and right-clicking on the word.

From The Guardian • Jul. 26, 2012

Hold down the Control key and the right mouse button simultaneously.

From Debian GNU/Linux : Guide to Installation and Usage by Goerzen, John

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.