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Definition of rekey

rekey

/ˌriːˈkiː/
re · key
Past Simple:rekeyed
•
Past Participle:rekeyed
•
Present Participle:rekeying
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rekey Lexical Profile

rekey Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To alter the internal mechanism of a lock so that it is operated by a different key and the old key no longer works.

Example

"After moving into the new house, we hired a locksmith to rekey all the exterior doors."

2

To type or enter data into a computer or keyboard again.

Example

"The clerk had to rekey the entire invoice because the initial scan failed to capture the numbers."

3

To replace or update a cryptographic key used to secure a communication channel or database (in computing and cryptography).

Example

"Security protocols require the server to rekey the encrypted session every twenty-four hours."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for rekey

• Rhymes for rekey

• Nearby Words

rejuvenate
rejuvenation
rejuvenator
rekey
rekindle
relabel
relace

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Rekey. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/rekey
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