ˌhead of ˈstate noun (plural heads of state) [countable]
the main representative of a country, such as a queen, king, or president, who may not have duties in the country’s government

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

leader the person who directs or controls a group, organization, country etc:
12,000 party members will vote next week to elect a new leader.
leaders of developing nations from around the world
ruler someone, such as a king or queen or a military leader, who has official power over a country or area:
Sheik Mohamed, ruler of Dubai
Argentina’s former military rulers
head of state someone who leads a country or state:
Twenty-one heads of state will meet at the annual World Trade summit.
figurehead someone who is seen as the leader of a country or organization, although he or she does not have any real power:
the Queen’s role as a national figurehead
There are advantages in having a respected personality as a figurehead for the organisation.
ringleader someone who leads a group that is doing something illegal or wrong:
The alleged ringleaders of the gang have been arrested.
the ringleaders of the airplane bomb plot

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲