What "key" means in basketball

In basketball, the key is the rectangular area inside the free throw line and between the two baselines. It is used to determine where certain fouls occurred, such as violating the three second rule, which occurs if an offensive player is inside the key for more than three seconds without shooting, dribbling, or passing. Additionally, it is a crucial area for defensive positioning and rebounding, as it is the closest area to the basket where players can legally stand for an extended period of time.