noun

  1. pivot.
  2. vital point, cornerstone, keystone.
  3. Japanese photinia. Usually written with kana alone.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
かなめ

Contained Kanji Breakdown

need, main point, essence
ヨウ い.る かなめ (4th, N3)
variant of radical 146
woman, female
ジョ おんな め (1st, N5)