figurehead

[ fig-yer-hed ]
/ ˈfɪg yərˌhɛd /

noun

a person who is head of a group, company, etc., in title but actually has no real authority or responsibility: Most modern kings and queens are figureheads.
Nautical. a carved full-length figure or bust built into the bow of a sailing ship.

Origin of figurehead

First recorded in 1755–65; figure + head

Example sentences from the Web for figurehead

British Dictionary definitions for figurehead

figurehead
/ (ˈfɪɡəˌhɛd) /

noun

a person nominally having a prominent position, but no real authority
a carved bust or full-length figure at the upper end of the stems of some sailing vessels