⌨️ A keyboard key 🔢 A control code

Esc

8.9

A special computer character programs send to tell a screen or device to change how it shows text

noun
/ɛsk/

Specialized

: Esc

Pressing the Esc key will close the menu on your screen.

Examples

To cancel the operation, simply hit the Esc key.
You can exit the game by pressing the Esc button on your keyboard.
The button to turn off ESC has this tone, but if you turn off ESC and traction control, it has this tone.

Surface Forms

Esc singular

Escs plural

Etymology

The word Esc comes from escape, meaning 'to get away', and in computers it sends a small 'escape' signal to tell the machine to change mode or start a special command. That's why it begins escape sequences and is used to cancel or control actions.