linchpin


Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

linch·pin

or lynch·pin  (lĭnch′pĭn′)
n.
1. A locking pin inserted in the end of a shaft, as in an axle, to prevent a wheel from slipping off.
2. A central cohesive element: Reduced spending is the linchpin of their economic program.
[Middle English linspin : lins, linchpin (from Old English lynis) + pin, pin (from Old English pinn; see pin).]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

linchpin

(ˈlɪntʃˌpɪn) or

lynchpin

n
1. (Mechanical Engineering) a pin placed transversely through an axle to keep a wheel in position
2. a person or thing regarded as an essential or coordinating element: the linchpin of the company.
[C14 lynspin, from Old English lynis]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

linch•pin

(ˈlɪntʃˌpɪn)

n.
1. a pin inserted through the end of an axletree to keep the wheel on.
2. something that holds the various elements of a complicated structure together.
[1350–1400; alter. of Middle English lynspin <lyns, Old English lynis linchpin (c. Old Saxon lunisa, Middle High German luns(e))]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.linchpin - a central cohesive source of support and stabilitylinchpin - a central cohesive source of support and stability; "faith is his anchor"; "the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money"; "he is the linchpin of this firm"
backbone, keystone, lynchpin, mainstay, anchor
support - something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest; "the policy found little public support"; "his faith was all the support he needed"; "the team enjoyed the support of their fans"
2.linchpin - pin inserted through an axletree to hold a wheel on
lynchpin
pin - a small slender (often pointed) piece of wood or metal used to support or fasten or attach things
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

linchpin

[ˈlɪntʃpɪn] N (lit) → pezonera f (fig) → eje m
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

linchpin

[ˈlɪntʃpɪn] n (= key person, element) → pivot m
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

linchpin

n → Achs(en)nagel m, → Lünse f; (fig) → Stütze f; accurate timing is the linchpin of the entire operation → das ganze Unternehmen steht und fällt mit genauer Zeiteinteilung
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

linchpin

[ˈlɪntʃˌpɪn] n (in axle) → acciarino, bietta (fig) → perno
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
Mentioned in ?
References in classic literature ?
(to this hour with less penitence than I ought to feel), that if these hands could have taken a linchpin out of his chaise-cart, they would have done it.
View in context
A linchpin had fallen out, and permitted one of the wheels to slide off.
View in context
There was the good old custom of taking the linchpins out of the farmers' and bagmen's gigs at the fairs, and a cowardly, blackguard custom it was.
View in context
Global Banking News-August 31, 2018-L3 acquires Azimuth Security and Linchpin Labs for undisclosed amount
L3 acquires Azimuth Security and Linchpin Labs for undisclosed amount
M2 EQUITYBITES-August 31, 2018-L3 acquires Azimuth Security and Linchpin Labs for undisclosed amount
L3 acquires Azimuth Security and Linchpin Labs for undisclosed amount
31 August 2018 - US-based communications systems company L3 Technologies (NYSE: LLL) has closed the acquisition of information security businesses Azimuth Security and Linchpin Labs, the company said.
L3 Technologies Closes Acquisition of Security Businesses Azimuth Security and Linchpin Labs
'The verdict against the cricketer was reserved on August 16 and he was linchpin in the spot fixing scandal,' said PCB's legal advisor, adding that 'The tribunal has reached the verdict that the PCB's multiple charges against Nasir have been proved and he was banned for 10 years.'
Nasir Jamshed banned for ten years in spot fixing case
-- During the previous two seasons, Cubs manager Joe Maddon often would refer to veteran pitcher John Lackey as the "linchpin" of the starting rotation.
Slate clean, Maddon expects good things from Wilson
Shahbaz termed contact with masses as a linchpin of democratic system and it serves as oxygen for all democratic political parties.
Shahbaz calls public's trust a motivation for Nawaz Sharif
Summary: The 11th anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri will remain the linchpin of the "independence uprising" that led to the emergence of the March 14 coalition, the parliamentary Future bloc said Wednesday.
Future bloc revisits March 14 foundations
This is not a vintage Dutch side, especially with midfield linchpin Kevin Strootman injured, and their age profile is not ideal, plenty of emerging talent as well as veterans like Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben - but with few stars at their peak.
DAVE KIDD'S VERDICT; HOLLAND, SPAIN, CHILE, AUSTRALIA
"He's kind of a linchpin to a lot of the storytelling and a lot of the storylines that [happened] early in the season, and his role will kind of emerge.
'The Walking Dead' Season 4 Update: The Mysterious Role of Bob Stookey Unveiled in the Second Half

Dictionary browser ?
Full browser ?