kingmaker

[king-mey-ker]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR kingmaker ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who has great power and influence in the choice of a ruler, candidate for public office, business leader, or the like.

Nearby words

Origin of kingmaker

First recorded in 1590–1600; king + maker

Related formsking·mak·ing, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for kingmaker

The New York kingmaker who died Monday believed voters could actually handle a nuanced argument.
David Garth, the Consultant Who Talked Up to Voters|Jeff Greenfield|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Like the Koch Brothers, it seemed Rastetter wanted to be a GOP kingmaker.
Will Chris Christie Bow to Iowa’s Pork Kings?|Olivia Nuzzi|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Terry Branstad is a GOP kingmaker who could lose his bid for a sixth term thanks to scandal upon scandal.
Is Iowa’s Republican Goliath Governor the Next Chris Christie?|Ben Jacobs|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Is it time for Donald Trump to add “Republican kingmaker” to his resume?
Donald Trump, GOP Kingmaker?|McKay Coppins|September 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Does he hope to play the kingmaker in a tainted presidential electoral process?
Baby Doc's Shocking Homecoming|Eric Pape|January 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Not till Warwick, 'the Kingmaker,' was laid low on Barnet field, did the kingly ideal become paramount.
The Siege of Norwich Castle|Matilda Maria Blake
The battle of Barnet witnessed the fall and death of the kingmaker, and with her champion feudalism fell.
About London|J. Ewing Ritchie
Tom led forth the horses one after the other—Kingmaker, the Fiddler, Pittapat, and the others.
The Killer|Stewart Edward White
His queen, Anne Neville, the daughter of the kingmaker, was on her death-bed.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 5|Various
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

British Dictionary definitions for kingmaker

kingmaker

noun

a person who has control over appointments to positions of authority

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