lynchpin

noun

lynch·​pin

less common spelling of linchpin

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

Examples of lynchpin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

China has been the lynchpin in the rollout of transformative technologies in Africa over the past decade — Huawei alone has built around 70% of the continent’s 4G networks. —Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 7 May 2026

Cirelli, long the Lightning’s defensive lynchpin up front, has passed some of his defensive workload to teammate Yanni Gourde, but Tampa Bay still won Cirelli’s minutes by a stunning 60-29 ratio. —Sean Gentille, New York Times, 6 May 2026

Yes, Dwyane Wade was the lynchpin to Riley’s championship reset of the Heat, arriving in a year when not playing for the lottery would have been malfeasance, considering the presence in that 2003 lottery of Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026

But DeSantis’ argument about race is also the lynchpin in a much larger legal theory his office developed to justify taking partisanship into account to develop the new maps. —Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026

Rhymes for lynchpin

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