control key

noun

variants or less commonly Control key
: a key on a computer keyboard that when pressed in combination with other keys enables special commands or symbols to be accessed
Pressing "z" while holding down the control key often undoes the last action.
abbreviation Ctrl
compare alt key

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of control key was in 1978

Dictionary Entries Near control key

Cite this Entry

“Control key.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/control%20key. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!