turnkey

American  

[turn-kee] / ˈtɜrnˌki /

noun

plural

turnkeys

1. a person who has charge of the keys of a prison; jailer.

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adjective

1. Also turn-key of, relating to, or resulting from an arrangement under which a private contractor designs and constructs a project, building, etc., for sale when completely ready for occupancy or operation.

   turn-key housing, turnkey contract.

2. fully equipped; ready to go into operation.

   a turnkey business.

turnkey British  

/ ˈtɜːnˌkiː /

noun

1. archaic a keeper of the keys, esp in a prison; warder or jailer

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adjective

1. denoting a project, as in civil engineering, in which a single contractor has responsibility for the complete job from the start to the time of installation or occupancy

Etymology

Origin of turnkey

First recorded in 1645–55; turn + key ¹

Example Sentences

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement announced its “ICE Detention Reengineering Initiative” in February, which calls for “eight large-scale detention centers and 16 processing sites, as well as the acquisition of 10 existing ‘turnkey’ facilities.”

From Salon

All of these connectivity components are critical to the rack systems that Nvidia essentially sells as turnkey computers, according to Naji.

From MarketWatch

But they will be able to buy the home turnkey, with pictured furnishings in place—and pay an extra $400,000 for the privilege, the listing noted when it was first posted.

From MarketWatch

It aims to be a turnkey partner for clinics that don’t offer home infusions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Homeowners using the portal can match their address to home choices that include pre-designed turnkey residences at costs equal to or below average insurance proceeds, Horne said.

From Los Angeles Times