kingpin

American  

[king-pin] / ˈkɪŋˌpɪn /

noun

1. Bowling.

   1. headpin.

   2. the pin at the center; the number five pin.

2. Informal. the person of chief importance in a corporation, movement, undertaking, etc.

3. Informal. the chief element of any system, plan, or the like.

4. a kingbolt.

5. either of the pins that are a part of the mechanism for turning the front wheels in some automotive steering systems.

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kingpin British  

/ ˈkɪŋˌpɪn /

noun

1. the most important person in an organization

2. the crucial or most important feature of a theory, argument, etc

3. Also called (Brit): swivel pin.  a pivot pin that provides a steering joint in a motor vehicle by securing the stub axle to the axle beam

4. tenpin bowling the front pin in the triangular arrangement of the ten pins

5. (in ninepins) the central pin in the diamond pattern of the nine pins

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Etymology

Origin of kingpin

First recorded in 1795–1805; king + pin

Example Sentences

Border Security Minister Alex Norris said the UK was "cracking down on the criminals exchanging human lives for cash" and praised officers for apprehending "this smuggling kingpin".

From BBC

Hence the relative ease with which the regime gave up its kingpin.

From The Wall Street Journal

I stand up ready to give this former cyber-crime kingpin a professional hello.

From BBC

The US sanctions list is usually reserved for drug kingpins, terror operatives and dictators involved in widespread human rights abuses.

From Barron's

Motley Rice has made a name as the kingpin of opioid litigation, but its tendency to prioritize its own interests is catching up with it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• boss
• company
• corporation
• entrepreneur
• executive
• firm
• management
• manager
• manufacturer
• organization
• owner