figurehead — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A carved figure on the prow of a sailing ship.

2. Someone in a nominal position of leadership who has little to no actual power.

   Usage

   • broadly
   • Figurative

   Examples

   More examples (3)

   Evidently he did not mean to be a mere figurehead, but to carry on the old tradition of Wilsthorpe's; and that was considered to be a good thing in itself and an augury for future prosperity.

   Instead she played, largely impeccably, the part of a modern constitutional monarch, a symbolic figurehead with a right to be consulted and to advise and warn political leaders privately and to show herself publicly as a focus of national life, celebration and commemoration.

   Supporters of Wagenknecht, a controversial but prominent figurehead, are already hatching plans for a breakaway party to compete in the 2024 European elections, the German newspaper Taz reported this week.

3. A person's face.

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • Obsolete
   • Slang

   Examples

   HATCHET. Bring up, I say, or I'll spoil your figurehead. [Lifting his cudgel]

Verb

1. To lead (something) nominally and with little to no actual power.

   Usage

   • also
   • idiomatic
   • Intransitive
   • Transitive

Noun

1. a person used as a cover for some questionable activity

   Synonyms

   frontnominal head

   Broader terms

   deceivercheatcheatertricksterbeguilerslicker

2. figure on the bow of some sailing vessels

   Broader terms

   figure