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

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Ultimately, the key to making congestion pricing zones both fair and popular is through the provision of alternative modes of transport beyond private vehicles – frequent and low-cost mass transit, and safe cycleways and footpaths. Laurie Winkless, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 Among the limited number of dinosaurs remaining and residing in specialized biospheres, three of the creatures hold the key to a potentially life-saving drug. Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025 While some believe certain days of the week offer better prices, others argue that booking in advance is the key to savings. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 However, rather than focusing on individual nutrients, the evidence suggests that overall dietary variety and balanced eating patterns are key to meeting nutritional needs. Anna Bisogno Papa, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025 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 15 Mar. 2025.

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