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

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

As a result, “the home is the epitome of turnkey luxury,” the listing notes.

From MarketWatch

The house they purchased for $1.75 million was “turnkey,” and Dazey had fun adding skylights to the beamed ceilings in the living room and redoing the kitchen to feel like an old Italian villa.

From Los Angeles Times

The report further recommends launching a consortium of builders that could offer turnkey rebuilding solutions to property owners who prefer not to undertake the rebuilding on their own.

From Los Angeles Times