private key

American  

[prahy-vit kee] / ˈpraɪ vɪt ˈki /

noun

private keys plural

1. Computers. a decryption key known only to its owner, allowing the decryption of messages that have been encrypted using a public key with which it is paired.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• private keys
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

private key

A private key is a very large, random, secret number that allows you to manage and access your funds.

From Barron's ● Apr. 1, 2026

Academic studies have suggested that these cryptographically relevant quantum computers may be able to unlock a private key “in mere hours or days.”

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 19, 2026

Twitter encryption also doesn’t provide what’s called “forward secrecy,” which would prevent an attacker who gets hold of a user’s private key from using it to read earlier and subsequent messages.

From Seattle Times ● May 11, 2023

That means users won’t be dependent on Robinhood if the system fails but will also risk losing their funds entirely if they misplace the private key.

From The Verge ● May 17, 2022

They felt very important using their private key to get into the school.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith