What is "linchpins"

Usage examples of "linchpins".

Stripped to his hose and swordbelt, he chipped shale, chopped wood, curried and harnessed the draft teams, or helped the wheelwright make linchpins and spokes, for wagons broke often on the rocky terrain.

One of the linchpins of the Great Defense, and of the ill-fated man-empire called "the Kings.

They were only marginally interest in honor, in giri-that certain form of obligation that remained today one of the linchpins of Yakuza society.

They were only marginally interest in honor, in giri—that certain form of obligation that remained today one of the linchpins of Yakuza society.

One of the linchpins from the wheels of the spare chaise is in there, too.