Keyword

Origin

key + word

Full definition of keyword

Noun

1. Any word used as the key to a code.
2. (information science) Any word used in a reference work to link to other words or other information.
3. (programming) A reserved word used to identify a specific command, function, etc.
• 1982, Popular Computing (volume 1, issues 9-12, page 113)Each function has an entry address which must be quoted after the USR keyword.
4. (linguistics) Any word that occurs in a text more often than normal.

Synonyms

• workword

Related terms

• (information science) index term
• (information science) descriptor

Verb

1. (transitive) To tag with keywords, as for example to facilitate searching.
• 2008, March 12, Philip Gefter, Type in ‘Native American’ and Search (Someday) 13 Million Photos, Besides being able to search the photography collections, of which 3,000 images have been scanned in so far, the feature is meant to provide a more subjective and spontaneous way for visitors to view the art: browsing images, looking at them sequentially and keywording, or tagging, them for themselves and other viewers.