noun
linchpin
LIHNCH-pihn
Linchpin (noun) means a pin pushed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel from sliding off. Example: “The cart wheel came loose after the linchpin snapped.”
noun
1
A pin pushed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel from sliding off.
"The cart wheel came loose after the linchpin snapped."
2
The person or thing that holds a system, plan, or organization together and is essential to its success.
"She was the linchpin of the whole marketing team."
"Reliable funding is the linchpin of the entire project."
How to use linchpin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe key person or element that everything else depends on to stay together.
Common pairings
the linchpin of
a crucial linchpin
remove the linchpin
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Word forms
- Plural
- linchpins
- Third person singular
- linchpins
- Past tense
- linchpinned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cart wheel came loose after the _____ snapped.
Etymology
From Old English lynis ("axle pin") combined with pin; the figurative sense of "essential connecting piece" developed in the 20th century.
Class of 1900
linchpin joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “linchpin” mean?
The word “linchpin” means a pin pushed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel from sliding off. In plain terms, the key person or element that everything else depends on to stay together.
How do you pronounce “linchpin”?
“Linchpin” is pronounced LIHNCH-pihn (/ˈlɪnt͡ʃˌpɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “linchpin” in a sentence?
Here is “linchpin” used in a sentence: “The cart wheel came loose after the linchpin snapped.”
What part of speech is “linchpin”?
“Linchpin” is a noun.
Where does the word “linchpin” come from?
The word “linchpin” dates back to around 1900 and comes from Old English. From Old English lynis ("axle pin") combined with pin; the figurative sense of "essential connecting piece" developed in the 20th century.
How many meanings does “linchpin” have?
“Linchpin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a pin pushed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel from sliding off.
