What does figurehead mean?

Definitions for figurehead
ˈfɪg yərˌhɛdfig·ure·head

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word figurehead.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. front man, front, figurehead, nominal head, straw man, strawmannoun

    a person used as a cover for some questionable activity

  2. figureheadnoun

    figure on the bow of some sailing vessels

Wiktionary

  1. figureheadnoun

    A carved figure on the prow of a sailing ship.

  2. figureheadnoun

    Someone in a nominal position of leadership who has no actual power; a front or front man.

Wikipedia

  1. Figurehead

    In politics, a figurehead is a person who de jure (in name or by law) appears to hold an important and often supremely powerful title or office, yet de facto (in reality) exercises little to no actual power. This usually means that they are head of state, but not head of government. The metaphor derives from the carved figurehead at the prow of a sailing ship.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Figureheadnoun

    the figure, statue, or bust, on the prow of a ship

  2. Figureheadnoun

    a person who allows his name to be used to give standing to enterprises in which he has no responsible interest or duties; a nominal, but not real, head or chief

Wikidata

  1. Figurehead

    A figurehead is a carved wooden decoration found at the prow of ships largely made between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Matched Categories

How to pronounce figurehead?

How to say figurehead in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of figurehead in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of figurehead in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of figurehead in a Sentence

  1. Aoibhin Meghen:

    The Pope needs to take responsibility for the actions of Pope John Paul II clergy, although Leo Varadkar hopefully hasn't had any involvement in the abuse, Leo Varadkar is the figurehead for the church, so it's Leo Varadkar responsibility to promise action and retribution for the people who have been wronged.

  2. Alvin Tan:

    The 'out' camp were struggling to get a figurehead who was popular and Boris has given them that boost, i think there is genuine worry that Britain might vote to leave and the uncertainty is going to rise into the referendum.

  3. Benjamin Cavender:

    Even if Richard Liu's not there as a figurehead and not present in the press, Richard Liu's still likely going to be fairly involved in the business, i can't imagine Benjamin Cavender being wired to step away, I think this is damage control.

  4. Yuichiro Tamaki:

    This isn't over just because Takeda decided to step down, in my impression, he seemed to be just a figurehead.

  5. Chrissie Hynde:

    I'm not a figurehead for anything. I was a single mom with two kids. What else was I going to do? It was either be in a band or be a waitress.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

figurehead#10000#89107#100000

Translations for figurehead

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • GalionsfigurGerman
  • ξόανοGreek
  • hombre de paja, testaferro, mascarón de proa, figura decorativaSpanish
  • keulakuvaFinnish
  • figure de proueFrench
  • fantoccio, prestanome, uomo di paglia, polenaItalian
  • pākurukuru, pītauMāori
  • boegbeeldDutch
  • figurantPolish
  • номинальный глава, гальюнная фигура, подставное лицо, носовое украшениеRussian
  • förgrundsgestalt, galjonsfigur, galjonsbildSwedish

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"figurehead." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 5 May 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/figurehead>.

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