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
The Royals like his ability to generate ground balls, which is key to play in Kauffman Stadium.
—
Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2025
The key to addressing the unregulated and illicit sale of cannabis comes via providing consumers access to legal cannabis products and incentivizing them to participate legally by keeping barriers to access minimal.
—Robert Hoban, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The discovery of that black hole, and working on healing from that emotional pain, is the key to recovery.
—Tommie Trevino, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025
Nvidia is also a partner in Project Stargate, the $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative that Trump announced in January and touted as key to his push to grow America’s tech footprint.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for key to
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Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2025
The key to addressing the unregulated and illicit sale of cannabis comes via providing consumers access to legal cannabis products and incentivizing them to participate legally by keeping barriers to access minimal.
—Robert Hoban, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The discovery of that black hole, and working on healing from that emotional pain, is the key to recovery.
—Tommie Trevino, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025
Nvidia is also a partner in Project Stargate, the $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative that Trump announced in January and touted as key to his push to grow America’s tech footprint.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 31 July 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 6 Aug. 2025.
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