keyway

noun

key·​way ˈkē-ˌwā How to pronounce keyway (audio)
1
: a groove or channel for a key
2
: the aperture for the key in a lock having a flat metal key

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Perhaps the owner of some upstart channel, hungry for clicks, has attempted to foil LPL with a custom keyway of their own devising. Hazlitt, 5 Apr. 2023 All 1990 and early 1991 Miatas were built with short-nose cranks with a fragile keyway where the lower timing belt sprocket was indexed. Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 2 Mar. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'keyway.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of keyway was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near keyway

Cite this Entry

“Keyway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keyway. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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