figurehead

1. (nautical) A carved figure on the prow of a sailing ship.

2. (by extension) Someone in a nominal position of leadership who has little to no actual power.Examples: "Evidently he did not mean to be a mere figurehead, but to carry on the old tradition of Wilsthorpe's; and that was considered to be a good thing in itself and an augury for future prosperity."; "Instead she played, largely impeccably, the part of a modern constitutional monarch, a symbolic figurehead with a right to be consulted and to advise and warn political leaders privately and to show herself publicly as a focus of national life, celebration and commemoration."; "Supporters of Wagenknecht, a controversial but prominent figurehead, are already hatching plans for a breakaway party to compete in the 2024 European elections, the German newspaper Taz reported this week."broadly

3. (nautical, slang, obsolete) A person's face.Examples: "HATCHET. Bring up, I say, or I'll spoil your figurehead. [Lifting his cudgel]"obsoleteslang