Phrase guide

ignition key

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a key that operates the ignition switch of an automotive engine

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: key

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 點火鑰匙 /点火钥匙 (diǎnhuǒ yàoshi) — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key
  • Dutch: contactsleutel — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key
  • Finnish: käynnistysavain — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key
  • French: clé de contact — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key
  • German: Zündschlüssel — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key
  • Hungarian: indítókulcs — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key
  • Hungarian: slusszkulcs — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key
  • Norwegian: tenningsnøkkel — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key
  • Polish: kluczyk — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key
  • Romanian: cheie de contact — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key
  • Turkish: kontak anahtarı — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key
  • Welsh: allwedd danio — a key that starts the combustion engine of a motor vehicle — see also car key