A shaft rotates in its bearings and transmits torque.

A shaft always carry upon at some other part like gear or pulley. That part of the gear or pulley which sits on the shaft by surrounding the shaft on all its circumference is called the hub. The hub and the shaft are provided with a positive interfering part which is called a key. The key is a prismatic bar inserted between the shaft and the hub so that it passes through both or one of them. It may be tapered or of uniform cross section. When placed in position the shaft and mating part rotate as a single unit without any slipping. The torque then can pass from shaft to mating part and vice versa. Apparently if the key is to pass through one or both the mating parts a proper groove, called keyway must be made.