keyword

or key word

[kee-wurd]

See more synonyms for keyword on Thesaurus.com

noun

a word that serves as a key, as to the meaning of another word, a sentence, passage, or the like.
a word used to encipher or decipher a cryptogram, as a pattern for a transposition procedure or the basis for a complex substitution.
Also called catchword. Library Science. a significant or memorable word or term in the title, abstract, or text of a document or other item being indexed, used as the index entry.

Digital Technology. a word used to classify or organize digital content, or to facilitate an online search for information: Search the database for the keyword “Ireland.”

Origin of keyword

First recorded in 1855–60; key¹ + word

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for keyword

abracadabra, access, key, password, watchword, abraxas, keyword, opener, paternoster

Examples from the Web for keyword

Contemporary Examples of keyword

Angwin notes that keyword searches are increasingly tracked.
They Want to Know Everything About You
Jake Whitney
March 5, 2014
When you send a tweet, Google a keyword, or stream a Netflix movie, you are harvesting what Shannon sowed.
Drowning in Beeps
Nicholas Carr
March 1, 2011
Their version of journalism is to focus on things like “keyword density” and search-engine optimization.
AOL's Tricky HuffPo Marriage
Dan Lyons
February 7, 2011

Historical Examples of keyword

In each of these the keyword of His message is—not to the unconverted, but to the Church—Repent!
The Ministry of Intercession
Andrew Murray
The keyword to his political theory was not Pity nor Benevolence, but Justice.
Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 2 of 3)
John Morley
Instead of using the letters of the message, the letters of the keyword are used.
Uncle Sam Detective
William Atherton Du Puy
The keyword—its significance had seemed to come to her in her sleep.
Beaumaroy Home from the Wars
Anthony Hope
What is a keyword for the opportunities of the Intermediate Age?
Training the Teacher
A. F. Schauffler

British Dictionary definitions for keyword

keyword

noun

a word used as a key to a code
any significant word or phrase, esp a word used to describe the contents of a document

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

Word Origin and History for keyword

also key-word, 1807, from key (n.1) + word (n.). Originally in reference to codes and ciphers.