kingpin

noun

king·​pin ˈkiŋ-ˌpin 

1

: the chief person in a group or undertaking

2

: any of several bowling pins: such as

a

: headpin

b

: the pin that stands in the middle of a triangular arrangement of bowling pins

3

a

: kingbolt

b

: a pin connecting the two parts of a knuckle joint (as in an automobile steering linkage)

Synonyms of kingpin

• heavyweight
• heavy
• big
• magnate
• tycoon

Examples of kingpin in a Sentence

kingpins of the movie industry

a police sting that nabbed several kingpins of the city's drug trade

Recent Examples on the Web

When his dad suddenly dies, Andy tries to take his place in the family business by tightening ties with the town’s drug kingpin. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 23 June 2026

Now, nearly a decade later, Hamza is in the inner circle as the kingpin of the Baloch gang that rules the city of Karachi. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026

His was a prime example of a kingpin conviction made possible by the prosecution of lower-level offenders. — Marie-Rose Sheinerman, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026

Christopher Walken stars as Frank White, a drug kingpin recently released from prison who looks to monopolize power by targeting his enemies. — Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for kingpin

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Kids Definition

kingpin

noun

king·​pin ˈkiŋ-ˌpin 

1

: a pin that stands in the middle of a triangular arrangement of bowling pins

also : headpin

2

: the chief person in a group or undertaking