The meta key is a key on some keyboards, normally located next to the spacebar, that performs special functions when combined with another key. It originated on keyboards for Lisp computers in the 1960s, and its use continued on Sun computers where the key was marked with a diamond shape.
Today, on modern computers, keys like the Windows key (on Windows systems) or cloverleaf key (on Apple systems) fulfill the traditional function of a meta key.
Alt, Keyboard terms, M
