View synonyms for

figurehead

[ fig-yer-hed ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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

figurehead

/ ˈ��ɪɡəˌ��ɛ�� /

noun

a person nominally having a prominent position, but no real authority
a carved bust or full-length figure at the upper end of the stems of some sailing vessels

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Word History and Origins

Origin of figurehead¹

First recorded in 1755–65; figure + head

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"He's a modern-day club legend, for obvious reasons, and a figurehead and talisman of what we have done on the pitch," says Wrexham fan and co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast Tim Edwards.

From

The Llywydd's job is to act as the Welsh Parliament's figurehead and referee in the chamber.

From

Glyndŵr became a figurehead for Welsh nationalism and there are statues, monuments, pub and street names across Wales commemorating him.

From

The longtime figurehead of the French far right added that the "system" had used a "powerful weapon" against the RN, "evidently because we are about to win the elections".

From

The sop to Department of Government Efficiency figurehead and campaign financier Elon Musk came after the automaker's stock took a nosedive.

From

Related Words

figure-ground phenomenon figure in

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