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

Explanation

A kingpin, also called a "center pin" or a "five pin," is the pin at the very center in bowling. From the bowling pin definition of kingpin, we get its other common meaning: someone who is important. If you are the kingpin in your office, you are probably the boss. The kingpin is the bigwig or the very most important, authoritative, or essential person in a group. The kingpins of the music business are often the owners of record labels rather than the actual musicians, and the kingpin of your bowling team is the person who bowls a strike every single time. In machines, an important vertical bolt can also be called a kingpin. In other words, there is a good reason that king is the most important part of kingpin.

Example Sentences

Fisk’s authoritarian tactics and campaign targeting vigilantes pushes Daredevil underground to try to assemble allies in order to bring the Kingpin down.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Under his helm at Marvel, a number of other memorable characters were introduced, including Kingpin, Luke Cage and Wolverine.

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2023

He also had a hand in other favourites such as Kingpin and the Punisher.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2023

D’Onofrio’s Kingpin has already made an appearance on Disney’s streaming platform through a role on last year’s Hawkeye.

From The Verge • Jul. 23, 2022

With Daredevil and Kingpin already in the MCU, there's plenty of reason to be optimistic.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2022

Related Words

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