keystroke

1 of 2

noun

key·​stroke ˈkē-ˌstrōk How to pronounce keystroke (audio)
: the act or an instance of depressing a key on a keyboard

keystroke

2 of 2

verb

keystroked; keystroking; keystrokes

Examples of keystroke in a Sentence

Noun He deleted all of my work with a single keystroke.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The display also has a range of custom lighting effects and can display letters responding to each keystroke on the screen. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Creating a macro is the process of recording keystrokes and mouse clicks for repetitive tasks, such as creating tables, custom layouts, or inserting formulas and cell widths in a spreadsheet. Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 15 Jan. 2024 In my tests, there was a consistent lag — each keystroke took a fraction of a second to register virtually, and the mouse cursor moved sluggishly. Brian X. Chen, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024 Getty Images By recording keystrokes and training a deep learning model, three researchers claim to have achieved upwards of 90 percent accuracy in interpreting remote keystrokes, based on the sound profiles of individual keys. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 7 Aug. 2023 In summer 2022, Dr. Clune was among a team of OpenAI researchers who built an agent that could use computer software much as a person would — mouse click by mouse click, keystroke by keystroke. Karen Weise, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2023 This feature is essential for fast typists and gamers who play games that require accurate keystrokes and where multiple keys might be pressed simultaneously. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 In the aftermath of the Mission scandal, LAPD leaders have been eyeing a potential solution: artificial intelligence, which can analyze vast troves of body camera footage with a few keystrokes. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023 With every other music media outlet perpetually acquiescing to the whims of the algorithm, Bandcamp has never had to waste a keystroke on Taylor Swift or Drake. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023
Verb
Bernhardt’s report points to keystroke logging technology and webcams that can tell when a person goes off task as examples of tech that can keep track of people even when working from home. Chase Difeliciantonio, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Nov. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'keystroke.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1867, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of keystroke was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near keystroke

Cite this Entry

“Keystroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keystroke. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

keystroke

noun
key·​stroke
-ˌstrōk
: the act or an instance of pushing down a key on a keyboard

More from Merriam-Webster on keystroke

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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