figurehead

American  

[fig-yer-hed] / ˈfɪg yərˌhɛd /

noun

1. a person who is head heads of a group, company, etc., in title but actually has no real authority or responsibility.

   Most modern kings and queens are figureheads.

2. Nautical. a carved full-length figure or bust built into the bow of a sailing ship.

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figurehead British  

/ ˈfɪɡəˌhɛd /

noun

1. a person nominally having a prominent position, but no real authority

2. a carved bust or full-length figure at the upper end of the stems of some sailing vessels

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Etymology

Origin of figurehead

First recorded in 1755–65; figure + head

Example Sentences

She put on the coat, handed Gelifen to Christopher, and clambered up onto the prow of the boat, standing atop the carved figurehead, which was shaped like an apple.

From Literature

Celtic have needed a safe pair of hands and a figurehead to unite a fanbase in revolt twice this season.

From BBC

Pimblett is no longer the kid who does not know his way around the gym - he is the figurehead among his peers and on the cusp of realising a career-long dream.

From BBC

A religious figurehead, he claims a pope-like status as the head of millions of Shiite Muslims around the world.

From The Wall Street Journal

That former intern was vacuuming the cup holders in your Yukon two years ago, now everyone thinks he’s the genius, and you’re a figurehead.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cipher
• nonentity
• puppet