kingpin
/ˈkɪŋ.pɪn/ noun
Forms kingpins
- noun (automotive) The axis around which steered wheels pivot; a bolt that holds the axis in place.
- noun (automotive) The pivot or connector between a tractor and trailer in the fifth-wheel coupling of semi-trailer truck.
- noun (figurative, informal) The most important person in a usually evil undertaking or organization, often a druglord.
- noun (ten-pin bowling) The pin at the centre of the triangle of bowling pins (originally the tallest pin in kayles). Sometimes also the headpin at the apex.
- noun The bolt holding together the truck of a roller skate or skateboard.
Synonyms
kingbolt big cheese big enchilada top boy baron big gun big kahuna big man big name big noise big shot bigwig big wheel boss grand poobah head honcho heavy hitter heavyweight high muckamuck high muckety-muck top banana swivel pin headpin
Etymology
From king + pin.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “kingpin”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details