1. a person who holds a position of nominal leadership but has no real power or authority
2. a carved wooden decoration, typically representing a human figure, mounted on the prow of a ship
Usage: nautical

Examples

• The king was merely a figurehead while the prime minister held all the real power.
• After the merger, the former CEO became a figurehead with no decision-making authority.
• The student council president felt like a figurehead since the principal made all the important choices.
• The old sailing ship had an elaborate figurehead carved in the shape of a woman.
• Pirates often targeted ships with expensive figureheads made of precious materials.
• The museum displayed several ornate figureheads from 18th-century vessels.