What does keyhole mean?
A keyhole is the small opening in a lock or door through which a key is inserted to open or secure the mechanism. The word can also describe a very limited view, as in the phrase “through the keyhole,” suggesting that one can observe only a narrow part of a scene or situation. In medicine, “keyhole surgery” refers to minimally invasive procedures performed through very small incisions rather than a large open incision. In technology, a keyhole scanner is a compact device designed for restricted spaces. The term combines “key” and “hole,” both of which are long-established English words. Its vivid imagery makes it useful whenever access or perception is deliberately limited: a keyhole reveals enough to suggest what lies beyond, while concealing the larger picture.
nounA small, narrow opening or slot in a door, lock, or other object, made for a key to be inserted in order to operate a lock. The term can also refer figuratively to a restricted view or means of seeing through a small opening.
- A small opening in a lock or door through which a key is inserted.
- A narrow or restricted means of viewing or accessing something.
"She could see the room through the keyhole, but she could not reach the key inside."
"The key turned in the keyhole, and the heavy door slowly opened."
"The newspaper offered readers only a keyhole glimpse of the negotiations."
The plural is used when referring to multiple openings of this kind.
"The old doors were covered with scratches around their keyholes."
A keyhole is a tiny portal: enough to reveal a glimpse of what lies beyond, but rarely enough to allow a full view.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does keyhole come from?
“Keyhole” is a compound formed in English from “key” and “hole.” “Key” descends from Old English cæg, while “hole” comes from Old English hol, meaning an opening or cavity. The compound refers literally to the opening made in a lock for a key; its figurative use developed from the idea of seeing through that narrow opening.
How keyhole is actually used
The literal sense is common in everyday speech and technical contexts such as keyhole surgery and keyhole scanners. The figurative sense, meaning a limited view or indirect access, is established but less frequent.