1. people who hold positions of nominal leadership but have little real power or authority
2. carved wooden sculptures, typically of a person or animal, mounted on the bow of a ship
Usage: nautical

Examples

• The board appointed several figureheads while the real decisions were made behind closed doors.
• Many constitutional monarchs serve as figureheads with no actual governing power.
• The museum displayed beautiful figureheads from 18th-century sailing ships.
• Pirates often removed figureheads from captured vessels as trophies.
• The company’s figureheads attended ceremonies while executives ran daily operations.
• Ornate figureheads were considered essential decorations for naval warships.
• She realized she was just a figurehead when her suggestions were consistently ignored.