private key

noun

in cryptography, an encryption/decryption value known only to the party or parties that exchange secret messages; also called secret key

Examples

Some systems use both a public and private key.

private key in Technology

cryptography
A piece of data used in private-key cryptography and public-key cryptography. In the former the private key is known by both sender and recipient whereas in the latter it is known only to the sender.
(2008-02-07)