to key down - Glite Dictionary

Examples

The manager asked me to key down the client's feedback during the call.
Please key down all the important points from today's seminar.
Please key down your thoughts for the meeting.
He keyed down the main points from the lecture.
During the lecture, she had to key down the professor's explanations to remember them later.
To avoid forgetting, he made sure to key down all the important details from the presentation.
As the information was presented, I tried to key down the critical data using my laptop.

Synonyms

to type

vsto key down

367 1.0

To write words using a keyboard on a computer or typewriter

focuses on using a computer or keyboard rather than any writing method

to write down

vsto key down

214 1.1

Put information on paper to help you remember it later

emphasizes using keyboards or computers rather than any written note

to put down

vsto key down

117 2.4

To write something so you do not forget it

is similar but points especially to keyboard or computer entry

to get down

vsto key down

52 3.4

To write something down on paper or a screen

narrows this to entering notes or information via keyboard or computer

to jot down

vsto key down

Informal

27 2.9

To write a short note quickly to remember something

is the same recording act but usually done with keyboards or computers

to typewrite

vsto key down

Archaic

1 7.3

To write by pressing keys on a typewriter or keyboard

is broader and includes modern computer input as well as typing

to dash down

vsto key down

1 4.4

To write something quickly without much care

involves typing or recording notes with normal care rather than haste

to keyboard

vsto key down

3.5

To type text into a computer or device using a set of keys

covers that input but also general note writing on computers

to keypunch

vsto key down

Archaic

8.2

To type data on a keyboard or on a machine that makes holes in cards

is the general act of writing or typing notes, not machine specific

How Thorough

to transcribe

27 4.2

to key down

5.5

to write down

214 1.1

to jot down

Informal

27 2.9

Surface Forms

key down infinitive

keyed down past

keyed down past participle

keying down present participle

keys down third person singular

Morphology

key + down

There is a partial cue to the target meaning because 'key' evokes keyboards/typing and English has verb+down patterns like 'write down', so a learner could infer a typing/recording sense. However, the items as listed (with 'key' given as a noun and 'down' defined unusually as 'completely learned') and the relatively uncommon use of 'key' as a verb make the exact meaning ('to type or write notes') not fully predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Key down comes from the simple picture of pressing a key down on a typewriter or keyboard to put words into a machine. That's why it means 'to write or type notes'.