kingmaker
[king-mey-ker]
- a person who has great power and influence in the choice of a ruler, candidate for public office, business leader, or the like.
Show More
Origin of kingmaker
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for kingmaker
Contemporary Examples
The New York kingmaker who died Monday believed voters could actually handle a nuanced argument.
Like the Koch Brothers, it seemed Rastetter wanted to be a GOP kingmaker.
Terry Branstad is a GOP kingmaker who could lose his bid for a sixth term thanks to scandal upon scandal.
Is it time for Donald Trump to add “Republican kingmaker” to his resume?
Does he hope to play the kingmaker in a tainted presidential electoral process?
Historical Examples
There was a man once in England whom they call the kingmaker.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 7 (of 25)Robert Louis Stevenson
Not till Warwick, 'the Kingmaker,' was laid low on Barnet field, did the kingly ideal become paramount.
The Siege of Norwich CastleMatilda Maria Blake
The battle of Barnet witnessed the fall and death of the kingmaker, and with her champion feudalism fell.
About LondonJ. Ewing Ritchie
His queen, Anne Neville, the daughter of the kingmaker, was on her death-bed.
Tom led forth the horses one after the other—Kingmaker, the Fiddler, Pittapat, and the others.
The KillerStewart Edward White
kingmaker
- a person who has control over appointments to positions of authority
Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for kingmaker
n.
also king-maker, 1590s, originally in reference to the 15c. Earl of Warwick.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper