linchpin
/ˈlɪntʃ.pɪn/
Definition
A person or thing that is the most critical element in a system or enterprise, serving to hold the other parts together.
Etymology
Derived from the Middle English 'linch' (a ledge or axle-pin) and 'pin.' Historically, it referred to the locking pin used to prevent a wheel from slipping off an axle, eventually evolving to metaphorically represent the central component that keeps a structure secure.
In the news
The word describes the project's essential role in the new agreement between the Canadian government and the oil industry. It signifies that the carbon capture complex is a foundational component upon which the entire trilateral deal depends.
Feds lower carbon capture project targets and offer new subsidies as costs double
Read the full article ↗Canada's National Observer