a key meaning of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key meaning of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the significance or importance of a particular concept or term in a specific context. Example: "In this context, a key meaning of the term 'sustainability' is the ability to maintain ecological balance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A key meaning of disenchant is "to restore to reality".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, the philosophical discourse addresses very different meanings of the term, which should be distinguished to avoid misunderstandings, but also to sharpen the key meanings of the term in psychological contexts.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

We needed, many of us, a key to the meaning of the universe.

Huffington Post

For decision makers, enabling comparability of study findings both within and across clinical areas is a key requirement, meaning that the relatively underused suite of AQoL instruments is at a significant disadvantage compared to more established measures.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The meaningful concept represents the first step in the linking process and it is represented by the extraction of the key meaning included in one item.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

"ECCE" and "ECCD" stands for Early Childhood Care and Education and Early Childhood Care for Development; here, care is key, meaning that care should be the basis of development and education.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

This is equally important with many prose writers such as Dickens or Jane Austen for whom some basic impact is in the rhythmic shape and weight of a paragraph as a key part of its "meaning".

WikiHow

Young people are much more pro-EU but much less likely to bother voting, meaning that a key element of Remain's coalition is looking flaky".

The Guardian

The Start menu is a key element of Windows 10, meaning that Windows RT users will at least see some of the fruits of Microsoft's last few years of development work.

TechCrunch

Humans may resemble many other creatures in their striving for happiness, but the quest for meaning is a key part of what makes us human, and uniquely so.

Huffington Post

Rasch analyses were conducted to investigate the psychometric properties of the Presence of and Search for Meaning subscales of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, a scale which measures meaning in life – a key indicator of quality of life, from a Rasch modelling point of view.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key meaning of", ensure the context clearly establishes what you are defining or interpreting. It is often helpful to provide specific examples or further explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "a key meaning of" when the meaning is already widely understood or self-evident. Overusing this phrase can weaken your writing and make it sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key meaning of" functions as a noun phrase modifier, specifically highlighting a significant aspect or interpretation. It is typically followed by a noun or noun phrase that specifies the subject being defined or interpreted, according to Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key meaning of" is a phrase used to emphasize a significant interpretation or aspect of something. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most frequently encountered in science, news media, and encyclopedic contexts. While not overly common, using "a key meaning of" can effectively highlight the importance of a specific definition. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase and ensure that its application adds clarity and depth to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central interpretation of

Changes 'key meaning' to 'central interpretation', emphasizing the main understanding.

a primary significance of

Replaces 'meaning' with 'significance', highlighting the importance or consequence.

a core definition of

Substitutes 'key meaning' with 'core definition', focusing on the fundamental definition.

an essential aspect of

Shifts from 'meaning' to 'aspect', stressing a crucial part of something.

a fundamental understanding of

Replaces 'meaning' with 'understanding', emphasizing comprehension.

a crucial element of

Changes 'meaning' to 'element', denoting a vital component.

a vital implication of

Replaces 'meaning' with 'implication', signifying a significant consequence.

the essence of

Uses 'the essence of' to convey the fundamental nature or intrinsic quality.

the heart of

Employs 'the heart of' to highlight the central or most important aspect.

the crux of

Uses 'the crux of' to denote the decisive or most important point at issue.

FAQs

How can I use "a key meaning of" in a sentence?

Use "a key meaning of" when you want to highlight a significant interpretation or aspect of something. For instance, "A key meaning of 'sustainability' involves balancing environmental, social, and economic needs".

What are some alternatives to "a key meaning of"?

Alternatives include "a central interpretation of", "a primary significance of", or "a core definition of". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. See also: "a central interpretation of".

Is it redundant to say "a key meaning of"?

While "key" and "meaning" can sometimes overlap in connotation, the phrase isn't inherently redundant. "Key" emphasizes that it's a crucial or essential meaning among potentially several meanings. Use it when you need to specifically highlight that importance.

What's the difference between "a key meaning of" and "the main meaning of"?

"A key meaning of" suggests there might be other relevant meanings, but this one is particularly important. "The main meaning of" implies this is the primary or most common interpretation. See also: "the main meaning of".