figurehead
UK: ˈfɪɡəhɛd | US: ˈfɪɡjərˌhɛd
n. a nominal leader without real power
n. a carved figure on the prow of a ship
n. a symbolic representative of an organization or movement
The word "figurehead" originated in the early 18th century, combining "figure" (from Latin figura, meaning "shape" or "form") and "head" (from Old English hēafod, meaning "leader" or "top part"). Initially, it referred to a carved figure on a ship's prow, symbolizing authority or identity. By the mid-19th century, it metaphorically extended to describe a person who holds a leadership title but lacks actual power, mirroring the decorative yet non-functional role of a ship's figurehead.
The king was merely a figurehead, while the council held real authority.
The ship's figurehead depicted a fierce dragon.
She served as the figurehead of the environmental movement.
Modern CEOs are rarely figureheads; they actively shape company policies.
The organization needed more than a figurehead to inspire change.