keyword
noun
a word that serves as a key, as to the meaning of another word, a sentence, passage, or the like.
key word
-
a variation of
keyword.
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.
Asked about the allegations against Miller, House Speaker Mike Johnson told the press, “The key word there is ‘allegation.’
From Slate ● Aug. 3, 2026
Resilience was the key word when the Iran war was just a week or two old, and the damage was greatest to overseas markets, such as South Korea and Brazil.
From Barron's ● Mar. 29, 2026
"Boosting, that's the key word here," Rachel Chatterton, a product director at Holland Barrett explains.
From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2026
Illuminate is a key word, as when young Peter Ostrum as Charlie unwraps a candy bar with the much-sought-after golden ticket, the animated images around the framed screen erupted in fireworks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2025
A new kid, a transfer from Monument High, asked, “What happens when Brother Jacques finds out we’re putting him on? When he finds out that the key word is environment?”
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
