keyworker

/ˈkiːˌwɜːrkər/

essential employee

Keyworkers were praised for their dedication during the pandemic.

This refers to essential workers like healthcare staff and teachers.

formal

An essential worker whose role is critical to society's functioning, often in sectors like healthcare, education, or public services.

During the lockdown, keyworkers kept hospitals and schools running.

This highlights their indispensable role in maintaining essential services.

The term gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic to recognize frontline workers.

Business

A worker with specialized skills or access that makes them indispensable in a particular organization or system.

The IT keyworker had access to all systems, making them crucial for troubleshooting.

This shows how certain roles are vital due to their unique access or expertise.

In business contexts, it may refer to employees with unique knowledge or permissions.

Collocations

keyworker rolea position critical to operationskeyworker accessprivileged permissions or knowledge

services critical to public welfare

employee directly involved in critical operations

The meaning shifts between societal importance (sociology) and organizational necessity (business).

Reserve 'keyworker' for truly indispensable roles to maintain its impact.

From 'key' (essential) + 'worker' (employee), popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Often used in discussions about labor rights, public health, and economic policy.

key

essential or crucial

root

worker

employee or laborer

root

English Dictionary