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

Awaiting the appointment of Kim Jones in late 2020, Venturini Fendi soldiered on as the main creative force and media figurehead following the death in February 2019 of Karl Lagerfeld, the German designer who had created furs and women’s rtw for the Roman house since 1965, as reported. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 4 Dec. 2024

His figurehead gets clapped because the sight of the police in the Bronx makes itchy hotheads smell a setup. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024

Unfortunately, what the national GOP has now become is a party with few principles and an inability to check the toxic populism of its figurehead. —The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 29 Oct. 2024

And while that was somewhat true, the film is refreshingly dotted with humor that could have ruined the seriousness of the situation at hand and instead makes these ominous, serious and devout Catholic figureheads feel like real, complicated humans, which only adds to the nuance of the film. —Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1758, 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