keyway

American  

[kee-wey] / ˈkiˌweɪ /

noun

1. Machinery.  a groove in a shaft, the hub of a wheel, etc., for receiving part of a key holding it to another part.

2. a slot in a lock for receiving and guiding the key.

3. (in poured-concrete construction) a longitudinal groove in a footing, or in a pour that has set, providing a key for newly poured concrete.

4. a depression or slot carved into rock to provide a bond or anchorage for a structure, as a dam.

---

keyway British  

/ ˈkiːˌweɪ /

noun

1. a longitudinal slot cut into a component to accept a key that engages with a similar slot on a mating component to prevent relative motion of the two components

---

Etymology

Origin of keyway

First recorded in 1865–70; key ¹ + way ¹

Example Sentences

Keyway root cracking, as found at Hunterston B, is caused by tension in the graphite at the outer surface of the bricks due to changes in their internal stress.

From Reuters

The three models from Kwikset include two with touchpads and a backup keyway, and one that includes a touchpad and no keyway whatsoever.

From The Verge

It’s mostly a style expansion Yale’s two new models include one with a button pad and keyway, called the Assure 216, and one with a touchpad and no keyway, called the Assure 256.

From The Verge

Perhaps she is doing this in preparation for cutting another feature on the gear, such as a keyway or spline.

From Washington Post

In the photo, Fraley appears to be preparing to machine a feature, perhaps a keyway, on the inside of a gear clamped in a dividing head mounted above the shaper’s rotary table.

From Washington Post