linchpin

Meaning

Noun

1. A pin inserted through holes at the end of an axle or shaft, so as to secure a wheel or shaft-mounted device.
2. (figuratively) A central cohesive source of stability and security; a person or thing that is critical to a system or organisation.

Verb

To adopt as, or serve as, a central cohesive source of stability and security.

Synonyms

lynchpin

mainstay

pin

backbone

keystone

anchor

⚓

cotter

dog

🐕

forelock

key factor

kingpin

leader

peg

pillar

shaft

axle-pin

swivel pin

axlebolt

coupling pin

base

bigwig

buttress

core

cornerstone

Translations

Achsnagel

Lünse

perno

acciarino

cheville ouvrière

cheville

échine

goupille

chiave di volta

spil

Radbremse

base

colonne vertébrale

xaveta

ancre

⚓

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈlɪnt͡ʃˌpɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: lynspin

Cognate with German: Lünse

Cognate with Dutch: luns

Cognate with Welsh: olwyn

Cognate with Classical Armenian: ողն

Cognate with Sanskrit: आणि

In summary

From Middle English lynspin, compound of lins (“axletree”) and pin, from Old English lynis (“lynchpin”), from Proto-West Germanic *lunis, from Proto-Germanic *lunaz – compare German Lünse and Dutch luns – from Proto-Indo-European. Possible further cognates are Welsh olwyn (“wheel”), Old Armenian ողն (ołn, “back; spine, backbone”) and Sanskrit आणि (āṇí, “lynchpin”). Figurative use attested from the mid-20th century.