{
    "term": "key",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a1",
    "image": "data/images/ke/keys.png",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "a piece of metal with a special shape used for locking a door, starting a car, etc.",
            "sensetop": "key to somethingkey for somethingkey for doing something",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "to **put/turn the key** in the lock"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He inserted the key in the lock and let himself into the house."
                },
                {
                    "text": "the **car keys**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "a set/bunch of keys"
                },
                {
                    "text": "the spare key to the front door",
                    "contextForm": "key to something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "We'll have a duplicate key cut *(= made)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Luckily Dad has keys for my house.",
                    "contextForm": "key for something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "There's a special key for winding up this clock.",
                    "contextForm": "key for doing something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He fished a ring of keys out of his pocket."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'd accidentally locked the keys in my car."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She hides a front door key in a flowerpot."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You need a key to open the garage."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The sound of keys jangling caught her attention."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They heard a key turn in the back door lock."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["master", "skeleton", "duplicate"],
                "… of keys": ["bunch", "ring", "set"],
                "verb + key": ["turn", "insert", "put in"],
                "key + verb": ["open", "unlock", "lock"],
                "preposition": ["with a/​the key", "key for", "key to"],
                "phrases": ["get a key cut"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "a thing that makes you able to understand or achieve something",
            "sensetop": "key to somethingkey to doing something",
            "labels": "(especially North American English)",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Persistence is the key if you want to get a job."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The **key to success** is preparation.",
                    "contextForm": "key to something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "First-time voters could **hold the key** to the election result."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The driver of the car probably holds the key to solving the crime.",
                    "contextForm": "key to doing something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Language is the key to understanding those around you."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**The key is**, how long can the federal government control the inflation rate?"
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "secret",
            "collocations": {
                "verb + key": ["have", "hold"],
                "preposition": ["key to"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "any of the buttons that you press to operate a computer, phone or typewriter",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "**Press the** return **key** to enter the information."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You can use the arrow keys on the keyboard instead."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He began tapping on the keys of his laptop."
                },
                {
                    "text": "F1 is the shortcut key for calling up help."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Press the left arrow key."
                },
                {
                    "text": "the top row of keys"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Computers"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["Alt", "arrow", "backspace"],
                "… of keys": ["row"],
                "verb + key": ["hit", "hold down", "press"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "any of the wooden or metal parts that you press to play a piano and some other musical instruments",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "His hands flew over the piano keys."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["organ", "piano", "etc."],
                "verb + key": ["caress", "stroke", "touch"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "a set of related notes, based on a particular note. Pieces of music are usually written mainly using a particular key.",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a sonata in the key of E flat major"
                },
                {
                    "text": "This piece changes key many times."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Can we try it in a lower key?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The key changes from C major to A minor."
                },
                {
                    "text": "What key is it in?"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Music"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["major", "minor", "high"],
                "verb + key": ["change"],
                "key + verb": ["change"],
                "key + noun": ["change", "signature"],
                "preposition": ["in a/​the key", "key of"],
                "phrases": ["a change of key"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "a set of answers to exercises or problems",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Check your answers in the key at the back of the book."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 7,
            "definition": "an explanation of the symbols used on a map or plan",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "You can find the symbols in the key at the bottom of the page."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "locked up safely somewhere; in prison",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We keep our valuables under lock and key."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I will not rest until the murderer is under lock and key."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Prisoners are kept under lock and key 24 hours a day."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kiː/",
                "audio": "ke/key/key__gb_3.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kiː/",
                "audio": "ke/key/key__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Old English cǣg, cǣge, of unknown origin."
}