kingmaker Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun English statesman; during the War of the Roses he fought first for the house of York and secured the throne for Edward IV and then changed sides to fight for the house of Lancaster and secured the throne for Henry VI (1428-1471)
   Earl of Warwick; Richard Neville; Warwick.
   
2. noun an important person who can bring leaders to power through the exercise of political influence
   
   • the Earl of Warwick was the first kingmaker

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