key in
Britishverb
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.
Doku, alongside Antoine Semenyo, has done this well and was key in nullifying Arsenal's build-up in both the Carabao Cup and Premier League wins in recent weeks.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
If that level is reached, the stock’s behavior from there will be key in determining whether it stabilizes or resumes its broader weakness.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
Inmate votes were especially key in the 2024 gubernatorial primary as González-Colón, a longtime New Progressive Party member, was challenging the incumbent governor of the same party.
From Salon • May 6, 2026
The confidence element is key in turning casual trail runners into more committed ones.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
I know how to put the key in the lock in our front door nearly-all-the-way-in-but-not-quite, so it won’t stick.
From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
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.
