linchpin
noun
linch·pin
| \ ˈlinch-ˌpin
\
\
variants:
or less commonly lynchpin
Definition of linchpin
1
: a locking pin inserted crosswise (as through the end of an axle or shaft)
2
: one that serves to hold together parts or elements that exist or function as a unit
the linchpin in the defense's case
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Examples of linchpin in a Sentence
This witness is the linchpin of the defense's case.
Recent Examples on the Web
With midfield linchpin Kevin De Bruyne limping off in the first half and the Belgian's teammates looking lost for ideas, City's £60m record purchase rose to the occasion to score the decisive goal of the game. — SI.com, "Bournemouth vs Man City Preview: Where to Watch, Buy Tickets, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News," 22 Aug. 2019 The warrant was the linchpin for the entire investigation and uncovered evidence that justified future searches. — Evan Sernoffsky, SFChronicle.com, "Adachi leak: What each judge knew before authorizing police searches of SF journalist," 13 Aug. 2019 The linchpin of the operation described in the federal indictment against Epstein consisted of the recruiters — some of them victims themselves — who targeted girls as young as 13. — Michael R. Sisak, BostonGlobe.com, "Indictment claims Jeffrey Epstein had extensive network to procure young victims," 14 July 2019 While it was designed to attract new businesses and residents, the expo’s greatest legacy was the solidification of the Navy as San Diego’s economic linchpin. — Roger Showley, San Diego Union-Tribune, "250 years of San Diego," 30 June 2019 San Francisco neighborhoods like SoMa or streets like Polk, onetime gay linchpins in a city synonymous with sexuality, are more geared toward the influx of tech dollars. — Brock Keeling, Curbed, "The rise and fall of Laguna Beach, a gay California hotspot," 26 June 2019 To shine a spotlight on this linchpin of America’s byzantine education system, Quanta Magazine followed four master science and math teachers into their classrooms. — Quanta Magazine, "The Art of Teaching Math and Science," 16 June 2019 Blanca’s House of Evangelista faced off against Elektra (Dominique Jackson), the ferocious sovereign of the House of Abundance, at balls emceed by the designer and community linchpin Pray Tell (Billy Porter). — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "Pose Lets In the Light," 12 June 2019 That saw Jorginho deployed as the midfield linchpin, and fan favourite N'Golo Kante shunted into a new, less favourable, role. — SI.com, "Jorginho Eyes Fresh Chelsea Start Under Frank Lampard After Distancing Himself From Maurizio Sarri," 25 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'linchpin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for linchpin
linchpin
noun
English Language Learners Definition of linchpin
: a person or thing that holds something together : the most important part of a complex situation or system
See the full definition for linchpin in the English Language Learners Dictionary