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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of keyway

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

Example Sentences

The rod end should be planed to thickness for the brasses and of equal thickness on each side of the keyway.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

Care must, however, be taken to see if cutting the strap out to suit the keyway may not leave too little metal on one side of the keyway when the strap is subsequently planed.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

The sleeve now stands still, the die cuts the thread and pulls the turret along by the friction of the pin in the keyway.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

If, however, it is driven too forcibly, it may seize or cut, and it will be difficult to get it out, besides damaging both it and the keyway.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

This permits the wheel to be moved along the shaft while being driven through the medium of the feather along the keyway or spline.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua