figurehead

noun

fig·​ure·​head ˈfi-g(y)ər-ˌhed 

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

Billy Beane was the figurehead of baseball’s data revolution. —Ali Rampling, New York Times, 31 July 2025

Sue is tough and decisive, no less a figurehead to this makeshift family than Reed. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025

When placed alongside the loving games George and Dev play in bed, the rules of a hyper-wealthy figurehead monarchy certainly seem utterly perverse. —Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 26 June 2025

While the country icon remains one of the genre’s biggest figureheads, his latest project is off to a relatively weak start. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1758, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for figurehead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

figurehead

noun

fig·​ure·​head ˈfig-(y)ər-hed 

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