kingpin

[king-pin]

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.

kingpin

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of kingpin¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; king + pin

Example Sentences

Organised crime detectives were alerted to Andrews Jr when officers found some revealing WhatsApp messages on the phone of another drugs kingpin called Kerry Evans.

From BBC

But officials said the departure of a drug vessel from Venezuela makes Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s dictatorial president labeled by the White House as a top drug kingpin, indirectly responsible.

From Los Angeles Times

The so-called “kingpin strategy,” centered on neutralizing cartel leadership, has also fractured Mexico’s cartel landscape, making it even more difficult for the state to contain the problem.

From Los Angeles Times

The step comes weeks after US prosecutors confirmed they would not be seeking the death penalty against the 77-year-old Mexican kingpin.

From BBC

Craine, who retired from the DEA and now runs a private security firm, said it’s unlikely that federal prosecutors would ever agree to a deal that gives the kingpin anything less than life in prison.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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