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 has only been one previous time when Iran went through a process of naming a new supreme leader — in 1989, when Khamenei was chosen to succeed Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the towering figurehead behind the 1979 Islamic revolution. —Jackie Northam, NPR, 9 July 2025

Arsenal label the job academy manager, appointing a figurehead in Per Mertesacker, a former player. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 3 July 2025

The koru symbol can be seen along the legs of the figurehead. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 24 June 2025

The new film continues the saga with a fresh high-stakes adventure, in which the fearsome Countess of Gral ambushes Captain Sabertooth’s ship, stealing a sacred figurehead and kidnapping young crewmate Pinky. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 June 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