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
Since joining President Donald Trump’s administration as DOGE’s figurehead—presiding over the quasi-legal gutting of the federal government—Musk has become not just polarizing but also genuinely unpopular in America.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2025
Shaw is the current board president at Chino Valley Unified School District in San Bernardino County and a figurehead of the California parents’ rights movement.
—Jenavieve Hatch, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2025
When this is done right, the founder still becomes the figurehead.
—Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025
Disturbed has been a dominant figurehead in hard rock for decades, regularly sending albums and singles up the Billboard charts.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for figurehead
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2025
Shaw is the current board president at Chino Valley Unified School District in San Bernardino County and a figurehead of the California parents’ rights movement.
—Jenavieve Hatch, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2025
When this is done right, the founder still becomes the figurehead.
—Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025
Disturbed has been a dominant figurehead in hard rock for decades, regularly sending albums and singles up the Billboard charts.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 10 Mar. 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 23 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share