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View synonyms for

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

/ ˈɪɡəˌɛ /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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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.

The Democrat from Virginia became a figurehead for the recalcitrant and aging wing of the party after leadership boosted his bid to serve as the party leader on the House Oversight Committee.

From

"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

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