key to

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
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Both of these guys were given the keys to their respective teams this season. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026 No matter the show, the key to successfully transitioning from one platform to another is by serving preexisting fans and converting enough new ones to justify the jump — which might sound complicated. — Caroline Darya Framke, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026 By getting more political than mainstream comics usually allow, DC may have found the key to reaching an entirely new generation of readers. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026 This voting bloc could be key to either candidate securing the mayoral race. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for key to

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Cite this Entry

“Key to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20to. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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