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
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
In an act of prime ministerial ventriloquism, Prime Minister Mark Carney had Charles deliver Canada’s throne speech, a ceremony in which elected politicians sit humbly in the presence of a ceremonial figurehead who reads words written by the politician who is actually in charge.
—Stephen Maher, Time, 27 May 2025
At just 29, Jordan Bardella has become the fresh-faced figurehead of France’s National Rally party and is now poised to inherit one of the most electorally successful far-right machines in Europe.
—Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
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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
In an act of prime ministerial ventriloquism, Prime Minister Mark Carney had Charles deliver Canada’s throne speech, a ceremony in which elected politicians sit humbly in the presence of a ceremonial figurehead who reads words written by the politician who is actually in charge.
—Stephen Maher, Time, 27 May 2025
At just 29, Jordan Bardella has become the fresh-faced figurehead of France’s National Rally party and is now poised to inherit one of the most electorally successful far-right machines in Europe.
—Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 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 6 Jul. 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
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