Figurehead
noun
A person who appears to be in charge of something, but who has no real power or authority.
Although she is the CEO of the company, she is really just a figurehead.
Often appears as...
- place as figurehead
- appoint someone figurehead
noun
A carved figure on the prow of a ship.
The figurehead on the ship is an ornate dragon.
Often appears as...
- carved figurehead
- ship's figurehead
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A person who appears to be in charge of something, but who has no real power or authority.
Although she is the CEO of the company, she is really just a figurehead.
Often appears as...
- place as figurehead
- appoint someone figurehead
noun
A carved figure on the prow of a ship.
The figurehead on the ship is an ornate dragon.
Often appears as...
- carved figurehead
- ship's figurehead
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Power Illusion
The term emphasizes the lack of actual power behind a perceived leadership position.
In that organization, the director is a figurehead, while the managers make decisions.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Decision-Maker
A figurehead may be seen at events but doesn’t make key decisions.
As a figurehead, she attends meetings but doesn't contribute to the strategy.
Pro Tip 3/3Symbolic Role
Use to describe roles that are symbolic or ceremonial without real influence.
The king served only as a figurehead, with the parliament holding actual power.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Illusion
The term emphasizes the lack of actual power behind a perceived leadership position.
In that organization, the director is a figurehead, while the managers make decisions.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Decision-Maker
A figurehead may be seen at events but doesn’t make key decisions.
As a figurehead, she attends meetings but doesn't contribute to the strategy.
Pro Tip 3/3Symbolic Role
Use to describe roles that are symbolic or ceremonial without real influence.
The king served only as a figurehead, with the parliament holding actual power.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Illusion
The term emphasizes the lack of actual power behind a perceived leadership position.
In that organization, the director is a figurehead, while the managers make decisions.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Decision-Maker
A figurehead may be seen at events but doesn’t make key decisions.
As a figurehead, she attends meetings but doesn't contribute to the strategy.
Pro Tip 3/3Symbolic Role
Use to describe roles that are symbolic or ceremonial without real influence.
The king served only as a figurehead, with the parliament holding actual power.
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Video examples
Learning from past...
celebrated rivals and then when he won the general election he stunned the nation even more by appointing each of these three rivals into his cabinet it was an unprecedented act at the time because everybody thought he look like a figurehead compared to these people they said why are you doing this Lincoln he
Video examples
The new urgency of...
I mean, you've been the figurehead for raising this issue, and you happen to be a Democrat. Is there anything that you can personally do to -- I don't know -- to open the tent, to welcome people, to try and say, "This is beyond politics, dear friends"?
Video examples
A message of peace, hope...
supporting the fatwa against him I mean do you regret how that played out I regret the question and that's the problem is that I'm you know I'm a Muslim some I've kind of I'm out there is a figurehead and then suddenly I get asked this question of
Video examples
Learning from past...
celebrated rivals and then when he won the general election he stunned the nation even more by appointing each of these three rivals into his cabinet it was an unprecedented act at the time because everybody thought he look like a figurehead compared to these people they said why are you doing this Lincoln he
Video examples
The new urgency of...
I mean, you've been the figurehead for raising this issue, and you happen to be a Democrat. Is there anything that you can personally do to -- I don't know -- to open the tent, to welcome people, to try and say, "This is beyond politics, dear friends"?
Video examples
A message of peace, hope...
supporting the fatwa against him I mean do you regret how that played out I regret the question and that's the problem is that I'm you know I'm a Muslim some I've kind of I'm out there is a figurehead and then suddenly I get asked this question of
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Jerry West
American Businessman
I would never stay under circumstances where I felt I was a figurehead and might look good in your team media guide. I don't want to be that. I do want to contribute, and if I don't contribute, I'll walk away from it. If I don't feel welcomed, I'll walk away from it.
Quote examples
Adrian Pasdar
American Actor
There's so much showmanship and gamesmanship involved in politics, it's really not a stretch to imagine an actor getting involved in being a figurehead for a political party. But for myself personally, I just don't think I could do that.
Quote examples
Jessica Valenti
American Writer
There is something to be said for the power of figureheads. After Hillary Clinton became secretary of state, a record number of countries posted female ambassadors to the U.S. - some of whom have dubbed this 'the Hillary effect.
Quote examples
Shaquille O'Neal
American Athlete
And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is a famous basketball player. I want to really learn the business.
Quote examples
Liz Cambage
Australian Basketball Player
Being a thicker post player, and being someone who grew up with self-confidence issues, it's pretty empowering that I've been chosen as this figurehead of basketball in my sport.
Quote examples
Kate Williams
British Historian
People are not happy with women in actual power, yet we seem to be happy to take women on as figureheads, objects, like queens. It's a powerful yet politically powerless role.
Quote examples
Tan Cheng Bock
Singaporean Politician
Very important, the President must be seen not as a figurehead but as somebody the people can look to for support for some of the issues, national problems and so on.
Quote examples
Chrissie Hynde
American Musician
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.
Quote examples
Pam Bondi
American Public Servant
Running for attorney general troubled me. Because I was worried I would simply become just a figurehead and that's not me.
Quote examples
Ambrose Bierce
American Journalist
Admiral. That part of a warship which does the talking while the figurehead does the thinking.
Quote examples
Jerry West
American Businessman
I would never stay under circumstances where I felt I was a figurehead and might look good in your team media guide. I don't want to be that. I do want to contribute, and if I don't contribute, I'll walk away from it. If I don't feel welcomed, I'll walk away from it.
Quote examples
Adrian Pasdar
American Actor
There's so much showmanship and gamesmanship involved in politics, it's really not a stretch to imagine an actor getting involved in being a figurehead for a political party. But for myself personally, I just don't think I could do that.
Quote examples
Jessica Valenti
American Writer
There is something to be said for the power of figureheads. After Hillary Clinton became secretary of state, a record number of countries posted female ambassadors to the U.S. - some of whom have dubbed this 'the Hillary effect.
Quote examples
Shaquille O'Neal
American Athlete
And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is a famous basketball player. I want to really learn the business.
Quote examples
Liz Cambage
Australian Basketball Player
Being a thicker post player, and being someone who grew up with self-confidence issues, it's pretty empowering that I've been chosen as this figurehead of basketball in my sport.
Quote examples
Kate Williams
British Historian
People are not happy with women in actual power, yet we seem to be happy to take women on as figureheads, objects, like queens. It's a powerful yet politically powerless role.
Quote examples
Tan Cheng Bock
Singaporean Politician
Very important, the President must be seen not as a figurehead but as somebody the people can look to for support for some of the issues, national problems and so on.
Quote examples
Chrissie Hynde
American Musician
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.
Quote examples
Pam Bondi
American Public Servant
Running for attorney general troubled me. Because I was worried I would simply become just a figurehead and that's not me.
Quote examples
Ambrose Bierce
American Journalist
Admiral. That part of a warship which does the talking while the figurehead does the thinking.
Example 1 of 10
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