noun
ignition key
Refers specifically to the key used to start a vehicle's engine. A wasei-eigo term derived from English 'engine key'.
wasei-eigo (Japanese-coined English), from engine key
エンジンキーを回して車を始動させた。
I turned the ignition key and started the car.
Variant with a middle dot; less common in everyday writing.
Also means 'ignition key', but is a direct loan from English 'ignition key' rather than wasei-eigo. Less common than エンジンキー.
Wasei-eigo from English 'engine' + 'key'. The English equivalent is 'ignition key'.