Linchpin: meaning, definitions and examples

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linchpin

 

[ หˆlษชnสงหŒpษชn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

key component

A linchpin is a person or thing that vital to a situation or an organization, serving as the crucial factor that holds everything together. It can also refer to a pin used to prevent the wheel of a vehicle from slipping off the axle.

Synonyms

cornerstone, keystone, linch

Examples of usage

  • She is the linchpin of our team, keeping everyone focused and motivated.
  • The linchpin in the project was the new technology we implemented.
  • Trust is the linchpin holding this partnership together.

Translations

Translations of the word "linchpin" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น pino mestre

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคฟเคธเฅ€ เคšเฅ€เคœเคผ เค•เคพ เค†เคงเคพเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Sicherung

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penjepit

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัˆะฟะธะปัŒะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ koล‚ek

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒชใƒณใƒใƒ”ใƒณ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท goupille

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ pasador

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ลŸapka

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ•€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฏุจูˆุณ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kolรญk

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ kolรญk

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้”€้’‰

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ฤep

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ spjald

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑาฑั€ะฐะฝะดะฐะปั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒšแƒ˜แƒžแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bษ™nd

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ pasador

Etymology

The term 'linchpin' originates from the Middle English word 'lynchpin', which has roots in Old English 'lynnan' meaning 'to loosen, to release'. Originally, the term referred to a pin used to secure the wheel of a vehicle to its axle. The concept evolved to metaphorically describe a critical element or person in a system or organization who ensures its continued functioning. The phrase emphasizes the essential role this entity plays, akin to how a literal linchpin holds a wheel in place, preventing it from falling off. Over the centuries, 'linchpin' has been widely adopted in various contexts, especially in business and teamwork, highlighting its importance as a unifying agent.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,978 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.