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
Ilze Filks2
: 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
Gréta Sigríður EinarsdóttirHe 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
Paul Schott3
: 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
Graeme McGarryExamples of figurehead in a Sentence
The king is merely a figurehead; the government is really run by elected officials.
Recent Examples on the Web
Marathe has long been known as the figurehead at the top of the club since the takeover in 2023, while Farke’s control of the football side is self-evident.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
The 17-year-old is now a figurehead in young adult literary circles through their book club, Read with Raegan, and partnerships with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
During a visit in 2009 to survey for mining possibilities, an argument devolved into a violent scuffle in which one man — Javier Chocobar, who was a Chuschagasta figurehead — was shot dead, while two others were gravely wounded.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
This week, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, the figurehead of the surging populist right in the UK, pledged to deport hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers and withdraw the country from international human rights treaties.
—Olivia Kemp, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for figurehead
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
The 17-year-old is now a figurehead in young adult literary circles through their book club, Read with Raegan, and partnerships with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
During a visit in 2009 to survey for mining possibilities, an argument devolved into a violent scuffle in which one man — Javier Chocobar, who was a Chuschagasta figurehead — was shot dead, while two others were gravely wounded.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
This week, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, the figurehead of the surging populist right in the UK, pledged to deport hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers and withdraw the country from international human rights treaties.
—Olivia Kemp, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for figurehead
Cite this Entry
“Figurehead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figurehead. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share