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 to

The 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

Rhymes for key to

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou