Adjacent Words

Linchpin definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

LINCH'PIN, n.
A pin used to prevent the wheel of a carriage from sliding off the axle-tree.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: 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" [syn: anchor, mainstay, keystone, backbone, linchpin, lynchpin]
2: pin inserted through an axletree to hold a wheel on [syn: linchpin, lynchpin]

Merriam Webster's

also lynchpin noun Etymology: Middle English lynspin, from lyns linchpin (from Old English lynis) + pin; akin to Middle High German luns linchpin Date: 13th century 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>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a pin passed through an axle-end to keep a wheel in position. 2 a person or thing vital to an enterprise, organization, etc. Etymology: ME linch f. OE lynis + PIN

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Linchpin Linch"pin` (l[i^]nch"p[i^]n`), n. [AS. lynis the axletree; akin to D. luns linchpin, OS. lunisa, LG. lunse, G. l["u]nse, OHG. lun peg, bolt.] A pin used to prevent the wheel of a vehicle from sliding off the axletree.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

also lynchpin(linchpins) If you refer to a person or thing as the linchpin of something, you mean that they are the most important person or thing involved in it. He's the lynchpin of our team and crucial to my long-term plans. N-COUNT: with supp, usu N of n