figurehead

[ fig-yer-hed ]

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.

figurehead

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of figurehead¹

First recorded in 1755–65; figure + head

Example Sentences

He described the connections between bluegrass figurehead Bill Monroe and celebrated American songwriter John Prine.

From Los Angeles Times

Less than a year on he has replaced Marler in England's senior squad and is the figurehead for a new generation of England front-rowers.

From BBC

It's one thing to back a jumbled, messy figurehead when your principal goal is sticking it to the woke liberals.

From Salon

Had Wigan won just one major trophy this season, that would be considered the benchmark for a club of their stature - figureheads of northern hemisphere rugby league.

From BBC

He booked the group studio sessions, invited them to parties and raves, and helped them network with industry figureheads.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cipher
• nonentity
• puppet