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kingpin - 4 dictionary results

king⋅pin

  [king-pin]
Use kingpin in a Sentence
–noun
1. Bowling.
a. headpin.
b. 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.
Origin:
1795–1805; king + pin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To kingpin
head·pin   (hěd'pĭn')   
n.   Sports
The foremost pin in an arrangement of bowling pins. Also called kingpin.
king·bolt   (kĭng'bōlt')   
n.  A vertical bolt that joins the body of a wagon or other vehicle to its front axle and usually acts as a pivot. Also called kingpin.
king·pin   (kĭng'pĭn')   
n.  
  1. Sports
    1. The innermost or central pin in an arrangement of bowling pins.
    2. See headpin.
  2. The most important person or element in an enterprise or system.
  3. See kingbolt.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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