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keypad

American  
[kee-pad] / ˈkiˌpæd /

noun

keypads plural
  1. a separate section on some computer keyboards, grouping together numeric keys and those for mathematical or other special functions in an arrangement like that of a calculator.

  2. a panel similarly keyed and used in conjunction with a television set, electronic banking machine, or other electronic device.


keypad British  
/ ˈkiːˌpæd /

noun

  1. a small keyboard with push buttons, as on a pocket calculator, remote control unit for a television, etc

  2. computing a data input device consisting of a limited number of keys, each with nominated functions

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of keypad

First recorded in 1965–70; key 1 + pad 1

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.

See Examples For:

According to the Consumer Council, the 9.5% rise would add around £122 a year to the annual bill of a typical credit customer, and around £121 a year the average standard-rate keypad customer.

From BBC Jul. 7, 2026

Guests punch a code into a keypad to gain entrance to First Cabin.

From The Wall Street Journal May 6, 2026

The task involved replicating a numerical sequence using a keypad, trying to be as fast and as accurate as possible.

From Science Daily Nov. 27, 2024

Increasingly, people place calls by touching a link on a smartphone screen rather than punching numbers on a keypad.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 23, 2024

He quickly jabbed “F,” “M,” “O,” and “N” into the keypad.

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein

Most of us will use keypads, or rely on sensors, cameras and AI to open our doors automatically.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 12, 2026

Electric Ireland said the fault meant keypads had been capped at a £10 limit, so anyone who bought a credit of £10 or more during that time period could not add it to their keypads.

From BBC Sep. 3, 2023

If you don’t go for the extra keypads, another unlock option is using the two NFC tags that come with the lock.

From The Verge Aug. 28, 2022

“Now I prefer to collect cellphone leftovers like cameras, electronic chips, and keypads, which are easy to carry but are less profitable and available mostly during the daytime.”

From Slate Aug. 5, 2022

The Telecom-adapted tones—pairs of audio frequencies—did not exist in normal telephone keypads and you couldn't make them simply by punching keys on your household telephone.

From Underground by Dreyfus, Suelette

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