key to
phrasal verb
keyed to; keying to; keys to
chiefly US
1
: to make (something) suitable for (a particular use or type of person)
I try to key my lectures to my audience.
—often used as (be) keyed toThe educational program is keyed to the needs of working women.
2
: to change (something) in a way that is closely related to (something else)
—usually used as (be) keyed to
The amount of money they receive is keyed to the rate of inflation.
Examples of key to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Peace and security guarantees are the key to ensuring that Russia can no longer destroy the lives of other nations.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
The key to defending your property is to reduce the fuel that embers can ignite, create fuel breaks that prevent spot fires from growing and to keep fire that does start on the ground to reduce more embers from exploding outward.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Collison said the artificial intelligence boom has been key to the company’s recent growth.
—Jacqueline Corba, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
Government funding delivered a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, many of the technologies – GPS, touchscreens and the internet – that are key to the functioning of the cellphone in your pocket, and the highway system that enables travel throughout the country.
—Joseph P. Tomain, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key to
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David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
The key to defending your property is to reduce the fuel that embers can ignite, create fuel breaks that prevent spot fires from growing and to keep fire that does start on the ground to reduce more embers from exploding outward.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Collison said the artificial intelligence boom has been key to the company’s recent growth.
—Jacqueline Corba, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
Government funding delivered a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, many of the technologies – GPS, touchscreens and the internet – that are key to the functioning of the cellphone in your pocket, and the highway system that enables travel throughout the country.
—Joseph P. Tomain, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key to
Cite this Entry
“Key to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20to. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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