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

There would be howls from Republicans, of course, that Biden was running to be a figurehead rather than a president. —Matt Bai, Washington Post, 9 July 2024

As long as Trump is the figurehead of the Republican Party, its pro-military rhetoric will ring hollow. —Mike Kabatt, Baltimore Sun, 3 July 2024

Being the original figurehead for the boho-chic movement during the aughts meant that Sienna Miller was among a handful of women placed on the front lines of Chemena Kamali’s debut Chloé catwalk back in March. —Daniel Rodgers, Glamour, 25 June 2024

Ela Melo, their figurehead, chain-smokes cigarettes, leaving red lipstick marks on the filters and no doubt getting some smoke into her platinum wig. —Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 19 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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