kingpin

Kingpin is a term used to denote a central or controlling figure within a group, organization, or activity. It can describe a person who holds the highest level of authority or influence within a criminal organization, a primary organizer, or simply the most important participant in a project. The term is metaphorical, drawing on the image of a central pin that holds together a structure; the kingpin is the indispensable link that maintains cohesion.

In bowling, the headpin—the pin at the front of the triangular arrangement—is sometimes called the kingpin because it is central to the pinfall pattern. Its removal often disrupts or defines the likelihood of a strike, and coaching or commentary may use the term accordingly.

In criminal and organizational contexts, a kingpin refers to the leader or dominant figure at the top of a network. A kingpin may oversee operations, finances, and personnel, while attempting to insulate higher-level decisions from direct risk. The term is informal and descriptive rather than an official title.

Popular culture: The Kingpin is a fictional Marvel Comics character named Wilson Fisk, a powerful crime lord in New York City and a recurring adversary of Daredevil and Spider-Man. The character has appeared in comic books, television series, and films since the 1960s and 1970s, with notable portrayals by actors such as Vincent D’Onofrio in the Netflix Daredevil series.