figurehead
Translation
nominal leader, puppet, ship's carving
Examples
The queen is just a figurehead.
The queen is just a figurehead.
The ship had a carved wooden figurehead.
The ship had a carved wooden figurehead.
Grammar Patterns
((a/the)) figurehead a nominal leader or symbol The queen is just a figurehead.
Similar Words
Synonyms: puppet, nominal leader, token
Etymology
From 'figure' + 'head'. It originally meant the carved figure on the front (head) of a sailing ship.
Memory Tips
Picture a ship's figurehead: it's at the very front, but the captain is the one steering. This is like a leader who has a title but no real authority.