A "linchpin" is something or someone that is crucial or essential to the success of a project or organization. It refers to a key element or person that holds everything together and without which everything might fall apart.
Sentences with «linchpin»
«I like to think of termites as linchpins of the ecosystem in more than one way,» Pringle said. (sciencedaily.com)
Jeff noted that the Smythes have followed the CMIT system since their location's founding in 2006; provided leadership throughout the Pacific Northwest even before becoming area developers; and served as linchpins for the company's validation process. (cmitfranchise.com)
New Hampshire schools have a powerful social studies, history, and civics program that uses the presidential election as one of anumber of linchpins in the curriculum. (edutopia.org)