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
Durk, 32, is a key figurehead in the Chicago drill music scene, which has spawned numerous rap stars including Chief Keef, Lil Reese and G Herbo.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024
So entrenched is the French figurehead in local history that the road leading to the villa is called Via dei Napoleone.
—Zoë Dare Hall, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Matriarch of the family empire, fitness guru, beauty entrepreneur, fashion figurehead and soon-to-be Netflix lead.
—Alice Newbold, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2024
Some high-profile crypto figureheads have thrown millions of dollars at the Trump campaign, in the hope of ousting the Democrat administration under which financial regulators have cracked down on crypto.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 16 Sep. 2024
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Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024
So entrenched is the French figurehead in local history that the road leading to the villa is called Via dei Napoleone.
—Zoë Dare Hall, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Matriarch of the family empire, fitness guru, beauty entrepreneur, fashion figurehead and soon-to-be Netflix lead.
—Alice Newbold, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2024
Some high-profile crypto figureheads have thrown millions of dollars at the Trump campaign, in the hope of ousting the Democrat administration under which financial regulators have cracked down on crypto.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for figurehead
Dictionary Entries Near figurehead
Cite this Entry
“Figurehead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figurehead. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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