ˈbæɹən ˈbɛɹən ˈmæɡneɪt ˈpaʊə(ɹ) ˈpaʊ.ɚ taɪˈkuːn (chess) the weakest but the most important piece one of the four playing cards in a deck bearing the picture of a king a checker that has been moved to the opponent's first row where it is promoted to a piece that is free to move either forward or backward a very wealthy or powerful businessperson an oil baron a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom preeminence in a particular category or group or field the lion is the king of beasts a male competitor who holds a preeminent position the husband or widower of a queen