keyway

K5E1Y4W4A1Y4
US/ˈkiˌweɪ/

noun

A slot into which a precision attachment (a key) is fitted.

“Near-synonyms: keyseat, groove”

Similar
keyseatgroove
UncommonScrabble 19
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Meanings

nounkeyway (plural keyways)

plural keyways

  1. dentistryA slot into which a precision attachment (a key) is fitted.
  2. The whole deep way the key has to go, the hollow or cavity.
  3. A guide groove.
  4. engineeringThe recessed part of a keyed joint, in which the key resides.

    Near-synonyms: keyseat, groove

    Synonyms: keyseat, groove

  5. The groove within a modern lock that the key slides into; any lock's keyhole.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe recessed part of a keyed joint, in which the key resides.

Similar
keyseatgroove
Also see
keyseat

Origin

From key + way.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Catalan osca, osca
  • oscathe hollow for receiving the key
  • oscathe keyseat, a part of a keyed joint
Finnish avaimenreikä, ohjausura
  • avaimenreikäthe hollow for receiving the key
  • ohjausuraa guide groove
  • kiilaurathe keyseat, a part of a keyed joint
German Schlüsselbartaufnahme, Aussparung
  • Schlüsselbartaufnahmethe hollow for receiving the key
  • Aussparungthe hollow for receiving the key
  • Schlüsselsitzthe hollow for receiving the key
  • Schlitza guide groove
  • Nuta guide groove
  • Führungsrillea guide groove
  • Nutthe keyseat, a part of a keyed joint
  • Passfedernutthe keyseat, a part of a keyed joint
Cite this entry
APA

keyway. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keyway

MLA

“keyway.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keyway. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “keyway,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keyway.

Source: keyway on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.