kettle|drum /ke t ə ldrʌm/ (kettledrums ) N‑COUNT A kettledrum is a large bowl-shaped drum which can be tuned to play a particular note.
key ◆◆◇ /kiː / (keys , keying , keyed )
1 N‑COUNT A key is a specially shaped piece of metal that you place in a lock and turn in order to open or lock a door, or to start or stop the engine of a vehicle. □ [+ in ] They put the key in the door and entered.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The keys on a computer keyboard or typewriter are the buttons that you press in order to operate it.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The keys of a piano or organ are the long narrow pieces of wood or plastic that you press in order to play it.
4 N‑VAR In music, a key is a scale of musical notes that starts on one specific note. □ [+ of ] …the key of A minor.
5 N‑COUNT The key on a map or diagram or in a technical book is a list of the symbols or abbreviations used and their meanings. □ You will find a key at the front of the book.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] The key person or thing in a group is the most important one. □ He is expected to be the key witness at the trial.
7 N‑COUNT The key to a desirable situation or result is the way in which it can be achieved. □ [+ to ] The key to success is to be ready from the start.
8 → see also master key
▸ key in PHRASAL VERB If you key something in , you put information into a computer or you give the computer a particular instruction by typing the information or instruction on the keyboard. □ [V P n] Brian keyed in his personal code. [Also V n P ] SYNONYMS key NOUN 7
answer: Legislation is only part of the answer.
secret: The secret of success is honesty and fair dealing.
solution: …the ability to sort out simple, effective solutions to practical problems.
formula: He offered this simple formula for a long and happy life.
key|board /kiː bɔː r d/ (keyboards )
1 N‑COUNT The keyboard a computer, tablet, or on some phones is the set of keys that you press in order to operate it.
2 N‑COUNT The keyboard of a piano or organ is the set of black and white keys that you press in order to play it. □ Tanya's hands rippled over the keyboard.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] People sometimes refer to musical instruments that have a keyboard as keyboards . □ …Sean O'Hagan on keyboards.
key|board|er /kiː bɔː r də r / (keyboarders ) N‑COUNT A keyboarder is a person whose job is typing information into a computer or word processor.
key|board|ing /kiː bɔː r d I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Keyboarding is the activity of typing information into a computer or word processor.
key|board|ist /kiː bɔː r d I st/ (keyboardists ) N‑COUNT A keyboardist is someone who plays keyboard instruments, especially in popular music.
ke y card (key cards ) N‑COUNT A key card is a small plastic card which you can use instead of a key to open a door or barrier, for example in some hotels and car parks.
ke yed u p ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are keyed up , you are very excited or nervous before an important or dangerous event. □ I wasn't able to sleep that night, I was so keyed up.
key|hole /kiː hoʊl/ (keyholes ) N‑COUNT A keyhole is the hole in a lock that you put a key in. □ I looked through the keyhole.
ke y|hole sur|gery N‑UNCOUNT Keyhole surgery is a surgical technique in which the surgeon inserts the instruments through small cuts in the patient's body, guided by an image from equipment that has been inserted into the patient's body. [MEDICAL ]
key|note /kiː noʊt/ (keynotes ) N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft N n] The keynote of a policy, speech, or idea is the main theme of it or the part of it that is emphasized the most. □ He would be setting out his plans for the party in a keynote speech. [Also + of ]
key|pad /kiː pæd/ (keypads ) N‑COUNT The keypad on a phone or machine is a set of buttons that you press in order to operate it.
ke y pla y|er (key players ) N‑COUNT The key players in a particular organization, event, or situation are the most important people or things involved in it. □ [+ in ] The former chairman was a key player in the deals that pushed the bank to the top.
ke y ring (key rings ) also keyring N‑COUNT A key ring is a metal ring which you use to keep your keys together. You pass the ring through the holes in your keys.
key|stone /kiː stoʊn/ (keystones ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A keystone of a policy, system, or process is an important part of it, which is the basis for later developments. □ [+ of/in ] Keeping inflation low is the keystone of their economic policy.
key|stroke /kiː stroʊk/ (keystrokes ) N‑COUNT A keystroke is one touch of one of the keys on a computer or typewriter keyboard.
key|worker /kiː wɜː r kə r / (keyworkers ) N‑COUNT The keyworker for a particular group of clients or patients is the person who works with them most closely and has most responsibility for them.
kg kg is an abbreviation for kilogram or kilograms .
kha|ki /kɑː ki, [AM ] kæ ki/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Khaki is a strong material of a greenish brown colour, used especially to make uniforms for soldiers. □ On each side of me was a figure in khaki.