figurehead

noun

fig·​ure·​head ˈfi-g(y)ər-ˌhed How to pronounce figurehead (audio)
plural figureheads
1
: the carved figure on a ship's bow
A wooden figurehead of a sea monster with ears like a lion and a crocodile's jaw was carefully lifted from the sea … by divers bringing up treasures from the wreck of a 15th-century Danish warship.Ilze Filks
2
: a leader in name only : a head or chief (as of a country or organization) with little or no authoritative power
The President is Iceland's Head of State, a ceremonial figurehead much like kings and queens in other Nordic countries and the UK. While they appoint ministers to Iceland's cabinet and their signature is required for parliament-approved legislation to take effect, their political power is limited.Gréta Sigríður Einarsdóttir
He will not be a mere figurehead, as he intends to play a leading role in upcoming talks for the company's media rights …Paul Schott
3
: a person who has commanding authority or influence : leader
He has matured into a fine player first and foremost, of course, but has also developed into the undoubted leader and figurehead of the Celtic squad.Graeme McGarry

Examples of figurehead in a Sentence

The king is merely a figurehead; the government is really run by elected officials.
Recent Examples on the Web By almost every metric, the Glazers failed in their role as the Old Trafford club’s figurehead family over 18 years. Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Last year, two longtime figureheads of Ireland’s music scene died: Sinéad O’Connor in July at age 56 and the Pogues singer Shane MacGowan in December at age 65. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2024 The late politician was the figurehead of Russia’s opposition movement and a fierce critic of corruption among Russia’s elite, the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Robert Hart, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Of unearthing the figurehead of a ship that was supposed to have sunk hundreds of miles away? Alida Becker, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2024 This is the real life story of how this anarchic Belfast trio became the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save their mother tongue. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2024 By Kate Birkbeck / Made by History February 12, 2024 11:00 AM EST Last month, after more than three decades as the figurehead of the modern gun lobby, longtime National Rifle Association (NRA) CEO and executive VP Wayne LaPierre stepped down. TIME, 12 Feb. 2024 A day after filing a lawsuit against alleging rape and abuse over an extended period, singer Cassie Ventura has agreed to a settlement with the Bad Boy Entertainment figurehead. Spin Staff, SPIN, 18 Nov. 2023 Hoping to usurp him from the throne, Kuzco's advisor, Yzma (Eartha Kitt), cooks up a plot to poison the puerile figurehead. Devin Nealy, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'figurehead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of figurehead was in 1759

Dictionary Entries Near figurehead

Cite this Entry

“Figurehead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figurehead. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

figurehead

noun
fig·​ure·​head ˈfig-(y)ər-hed How to pronounce figurehead (audio)
1
: a figure, statue, or bust on the bow of a ship
2
: a person who has the title but not the powers of the head of something
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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