WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
key•way
(kē′wā′),USA pronunciation n.
- Mechanical Engineering[Mach.]a groove in a shaft, the hub of a wheel, etc., for receiving part of a key holding it to another part.
- Mechanical Engineering, Buildinga slot in a lock for receiving and guiding the key.
- Building, Civil Engineering(in poured-concrete construction) a longitudinal groove in a footing, or in a pour that has set, providing a key for newly poured concrete.
- Civil Engineeringa depression or slot carved into rock to provide a bond or anchorage for a structure, as a dam.
- key1 + way 1865–70
'keyway' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):