figurehead

[ˈfɪɡərhɛd]

figurehead Definition

• 1. a person who is the head of an organization or group in name only, with no real power or authority
• 2. a carved image or statue at the prow of a ship, used as a symbol

Using figurehead: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "figurehead" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The president was merely a figurehead, with no real decision-making power.

• Example

  The company's CEO was just a figurehead, while the board of directors made all the important decisions.

• Example

  The figurehead on the ship was a carving of a mermaid.

figurehead Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for figurehead

• puppet
• token
• mascot
• nominal leader
• ceremonial head

Antonyms for figurehead

• leader
• authority
• power holder

Idioms Using figurehead

• be a figurehead

  to hold a position of nominal leadership without any real power or authority

  Example

  The new CEO was just a figurehead, with no real say in the company's decisions.

• figurehead of a movement

  a person who is seen as the symbolic leader of a social or political movement, but may not have any real power or influence

  Example

  Martin Luther King Jr. was a figurehead of the civil rights movement.

• figurehead position

  a position that is given to someone for symbolic reasons, but has no real power or authority

  Example

  The university created a figurehead position for the famous author, but he had no real responsibilities.

Phrases with figurehead

• figurehead role

  a position that has no real power or authority, but is given to someone for symbolic reasons

  Example

  The new vice president was given a figurehead role, with no real responsibilities.

• figurehead government

  a government that is controlled by a more powerful external force, such as a colonial power

  Example

  The country's figurehead government was overthrown in a military coup.

• figurehead monarch

  a monarch who has no real power or authority, but serves as a symbol of the country

  Example

  The British queen is a figurehead monarch, with no real political power.

Origins of figurehead

from 'figure' + 'head'

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Summary: figurehead in Brief

'Figurehead' [ˈfɪɡərhɛd] refers to a person who holds a position of nominal leadership without any real power or authority, or a carved image or statue at the prow of a ship, used as a symbol. It can be used in phrases like 'figurehead role,' and idioms like 'be a figurehead,' denoting a lack of real power or influence. For example, 'The company's CEO was just a figurehead, while the board of directors made all the important decisions.'