keyword

American  

[kee-wurd] / ˈkiˌwɜrd /

Or key word

noun

1. a word that serves as a key, as to the meaning of another word, a sentence, passage, or the like.

2. a word used to encipher or decipher a cryptogram, as a pattern for a transposition procedure or the basis for a complex substitution.

3. 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.

4. 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.”

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keyword British  

/ ˈkiːˌwɜːd /

noun

1. a word used as a key to a code

2. any significant word or phrase, esp a word used to describe the contents of a document

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Etymology

Origin of keyword

First recorded in 1855–60; key ¹ + word

Example Sentences

“On search, our AI features rely on our core search ranking systems that have been honed for years against activity like keyword stuffing,” says a Google spokesman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

The company said at the time it had "strengthened its keyword blacklist to further prevent attempted circumvention of product listing restrictions by sellers".

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

Web of Science data show publications mentioning MTurk as a keyword went from 34 in 2010 to a peak of 989 in 2021.

From Science Magazine • May 9, 2024

The third clue is the keyword “allegedly” as it points to the allegations in the case which are contained within the indictment, Eisen pointed out.

From Salon • Mar. 2, 2024

Beneath it, you write your keyword, followed by the remaining letters of the alphabet in order.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield