escape key
noun
variants
or less commonly Escape key
computers
: a key on a computer keyboard that when pressed transmits various commands to the computer (such as to stop an active process or close a window)
Note: The escape key originally transmitted a special type of character (the escape character) that marked subsequent data as being different in some way. For example, it might separate a command being sent to a printer from the actual data to be printed. More recent changes in technology have made this character less necessary, and the escape key has been adapted for other uses.
Cite this Entry
“Escape key.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escape%20key. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share