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Definition of "kingmaker" []

  • One who has the political power to influence the selection of a candidate for high public office. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "kingmaker" in a sentence
  • "He faces an uphill battle to restore a party that once was known as the kingmaker in German coalitions but has sunk in public opinion polls."
  • "Rydzyk has refused to deny making the comments, according to the BBC.Rydzyk has been described as a "kingmaker" in Poland."
  • "Concretize the popular opinion in a couple charged terms -- "magic man," "kingmaker" -- then throw in a condescending generalization -- "of course" -- as you negate their energy with a dismissal."