---
name: "key_defined"
section: "3x"
platform: "macos"
package: "ncurses"
version: "79"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["linux", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/key_defined/3x"
---

# key\_defined(3x)

check if a keycode is defined

## NAME

**key\_defined** - check if a keycode is defined

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<curses.h\>**

**int key\_defined(const char \*definition);**

## DESCRIPTION

This is an extension to the curses library. It permits an application to determine if a string is currently bound to any keycode.

## RETURN VALUE

If the string is bound to a keycode, its value (greater than zero) is returned. If no keycode is bound, zero is returned. If the string conflicts with longer strings which are bound to keys, -1 is returned.

## PORTABILITY

These routines are specific to ncurses.  They were not supported on Version 7, BSD or System V implementations.  It is recommended that any code depending on them be conditioned using NCURSES\_VERSION.

## SEE ALSO

**define\_key**(3X).

## AUTHOR

Thomas Dickey.