Word
kingpin
Phoneticsking·pin, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɪŋˌpɪn/
UK/kˈɪŋpɪn/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the most important person or thing in a group. You use this to describe someone who has the most power or influence in a specific situation.
n. the most influential or powerful person in a group or organization. Often used in the context of criminal networks or high-stakes business environments.
Examples
“He is the kingpin of the local music scene.”
“The police finally arrested the kingpin behind the entire smuggling operation after months of investigation.”
“While the board of directors provides the official oversight, the real kingpin of the corporation remains the CEO, whose personal vision dictates the company's strategic direction.”
Examples
simple
“He is the kingpin of the local music scene.”
contextual
“The police finally arrested the kingpin behind the entire smuggling operation after months of investigation.”
complex
“While the board of directors provides the official oversight, the real kingpin of the corporation remains the CEO, whose personal vision dictates the company's strategic direction.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “kingpin” in context.
Verb
01. arrest kingpin
“Authorities managed to arrest the kingpin after a year-long undercover operation.”
verb + noun
02. dethrone kingpin
“A new rival emerged to dethrone the kingpin of the tech world.”
verb + noun
03. kingpin controls
“The kingpin controls every aspect of the distribution chain.”
noun + verb
04. kingpin operates
“The kingpin operates through a complex network of anonymous shell companies.”
noun + verb
05. target kingpin
“The new legislation specifically aims to target the kingpins of organized crime.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. corporate kingpin
“The corporate kingpin controlled several subsidiaries from his office in Manhattan.”
adj + noun
07. criminal kingpin
“The police finally captured the criminal kingpin behind the international smuggling ring.”
adj + noun
08. undisputed kingpin
“For decades, he remained the undisputed kingpin of the local shipping industry.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. kingpin of
“He was known as the kingpin of the illegal gambling circuit.”
noun + prep
10. act as the kingpin
“He was found to act as the kingpin in a sophisticated tax evasion scheme.”
11. the kingpin of the industry
“As the kingpin of the industry, her decisions influenced global market prices.”
Real-World Examples
“US actor RJ Mitte, best known for his role as the defiant son of drug kingpin Walter White in the drama series Breaking Bad, has died aged 34.” “Official says actor who played son of drug kingpin Walter White died by suicide.” “Interrupting his retirement on a Spanish-speaking Caribbean island with the odd poisoning (seen in the intro), kingpin Jack Wolfe (Jackson) is getting antsy.” “No one raised an eyebrow when ex-radical and Chicago 7 kingpin Jerry Rubin became a stockbroker and began to throw networking parties at the Underground.” Etymology
From king + pin.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/kingpin