keyword

n. One of a small set of words used to characterize the content of a document for use in retrieval systems. In KWIC and KWOC indexes, words in a title or document that serve as access points. ComputingReserved words in a programming language that has a functional meaning for the compiler or interpreter and that cannot be used for the names of variables, functions, or other entities.

Notes

Keywords1 are often taken from the title, abstract, or sometimes the full text of the work. In other cases, keywords are taken from a controlled vocabulary. - Keywords2 include any word in the title that is not in a list of common words of limited value for retrieval (a stop list).