turnkey Hear it!

turnkey1 definition

turn·key (tʉrn′kē′)

noun pl. turnkeys -·keys′

a person in charge of the keys of a prison; warder; jailer
turnkey2 definition

☆ turn·key (-kē′)

adjective

designating, of, or by a method of construction, installation, etc. whereby the contractor, installer, etc. assumes total responsibility from design through completion of the project

Etymology: because the new owner of a housing-project unit so constructed need only turn the door key to take occupancy

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.