Kingpin
noun
The most important person in an organization or operation.
He is the kingpin of this smuggling operation.
Often appears as...
- criminal kingpin
- drug kingpin
noun
The pin at the center of a circle of bowling pins.
His bowling ball hit the kingpin, scattering all the other pins.
noun
A central or most important part of a system or component.
The kingpin in the company's business strategy is its innovative product line.
Often appears as...
- kingpin in the system
- kingpin component
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
noun
The most important person in an organization or operation.
He is the kingpin of this smuggling operation.
Often appears as...
- criminal kingpin
- drug kingpin
noun
The pin at the center of a circle of bowling pins.
His bowling ball hit the kingpin, scattering all the other pins.
noun
A central or most important part of a system or component.
The kingpin in the company's business strategy is its innovative product line.
Often appears as...
- kingpin in the system
- kingpin component
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Power Implications
Indicates someone's dominant position, often in a slightly negative context related to illegal or shady activities.
The media dubbed him the kingpin behind the scandal.
Pro Tip 2/3Criminal Association
Frequently used in news or crime dramas when referring to a high-ranking figure in an organized crime group.
Authorities finally caught the elusive drug kingpin.
Pro Tip 3/3Leadership Nuance
Suggests a central, controlling role, without necessarily having an official title.
Despite not being CEO, he's considered the kingpin of the corporation.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Implications
Indicates someone's dominant position, often in a slightly negative context related to illegal or shady activities.
The media dubbed him the kingpin behind the scandal.
Pro Tip 2/3Criminal Association
Frequently used in news or crime dramas when referring to a high-ranking figure in an organized crime group.
Authorities finally caught the elusive drug kingpin.
Pro Tip 3/3Leadership Nuance
Suggests a central, controlling role, without necessarily having an official title.
Despite not being CEO, he's considered the kingpin of the corporation.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Implications
Indicates someone's dominant position, often in a slightly negative context related to illegal or shady activities.
The media dubbed him the kingpin behind the scandal.
Pro Tip 2/3Criminal Association
Frequently used in news or crime dramas when referring to a high-ranking figure in an organized crime group.
Authorities finally caught the elusive drug kingpin.
Pro Tip 3/3Leadership Nuance
Suggests a central, controlling role, without necessarily having an official title.
Despite not being CEO, he's considered the kingpin of the corporation.
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Video examples
Going Undercover to Save...
this is the guy she's been looking for the kingpin himself he had this really base voice like really really strong low voice and he spoke really really quietly and he kind of commanded this aura of respect all around him so it was just like him in the center and
Video examples
The Creativity,...
We both have big dreams. We both have mothers who suffer from drug addiction that led to their incarceration, a devastating result of the war on drugs. Like many people unjustly sentenced for drugs, Chris was no kingpin.
Video examples
Going Undercover to Save...
this is the guy she's been looking for the kingpin himself he had this really base voice like really really strong low voice and he spoke really really quietly and he kind of commanded this aura of respect all around him so it was just like him in the center and
Video examples
The Creativity,...
We both have big dreams. We both have mothers who suffer from drug addiction that led to their incarceration, a devastating result of the war on drugs. Like many people unjustly sentenced for drugs, Chris was no kingpin.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Isaac Wright Jr.
You plead guilty you get 20 years, you plead guilty you get 15 years. That's the lowest time I heard and I said I'm no kingpin, I didn't do this. I decided at that moment that I was going to prison and I wasn't going to pay someone to send me to prison. I decided to put the gloves on, string up the boots, and get into the fight.
Quote examples
Jim Ross
American Entertainer
My first broadcast partner provided color commentary even though he was totally blind. Leroy McGuirk was a former NCAA Wrestling Champion at Oklahoma State University and long time kingpin of the NWA Junior Heavyweight Division before losing his sight in a car accident in Little Rock in the early 1950s.
Quote examples
Elena Satine
Georgian Actress
I think I could totally be a gangster, but I could never be the kind of gangster that carries things out myself. I would have to be the kingpin that has my minions go and do the dirty bidding. I think I'd be pretty good at giving orders.
Quote examples
Helen Andelin
American Activist
A man wants a woman who will place him at the top of his priority list, not second but first. He wants to be the kingpin around which all other activities of her life revolve.
Quote examples
Bobby Seale
American Activist
I'd have no trouble being the barbecue kingpin of America. I'd just add it to all the other things I am: jazz musician, carpenter, architect, engineer and revolutionary.
Quote examples
Isaac Wright Jr.
You plead guilty you get 20 years, you plead guilty you get 15 years. That's the lowest time I heard and I said I'm no kingpin, I didn't do this. I decided at that moment that I was going to prison and I wasn't going to pay someone to send me to prison. I decided to put the gloves on, string up the boots, and get into the fight.
Quote examples
Jim Ross
American Entertainer
My first broadcast partner provided color commentary even though he was totally blind. Leroy McGuirk was a former NCAA Wrestling Champion at Oklahoma State University and long time kingpin of the NWA Junior Heavyweight Division before losing his sight in a car accident in Little Rock in the early 1950s.
Quote examples
Elena Satine
Georgian Actress
I think I could totally be a gangster, but I could never be the kind of gangster that carries things out myself. I would have to be the kingpin that has my minions go and do the dirty bidding. I think I'd be pretty good at giving orders.
Quote examples
Helen Andelin
American Activist
A man wants a woman who will place him at the top of his priority list, not second but first. He wants to be the kingpin around which all other activities of her life revolve.
Quote examples
Bobby Seale
American Activist
I'd have no trouble being the barbecue kingpin of America. I'd just add it to all the other things I am: jazz musician, carpenter, architect, engineer and revolutionary.
Example 1 of 5
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