pharaoh

noun

pha·​raoh ˈfer-(ˌ)ō  ˈfā-(ˌ)rō 

often capitalized

1

: a ruler of ancient Egypt

2

: tyrant

Synonyms

• caesar
• despot
• dictator
• führer
• fuehrer
• oppressor
• strongman
• tyrannizer
• tyrant

Examples of pharaoh in a Sentence

like some pharaoh of a third-world country, more interested in building monuments to himself than in creating a future for his people

Recent Examples on the Web

From the beginning, the vulture was a central symbol of the region as well as of its new ruling class of pharaohs and of the important deity, the goddess Nekhbet. —Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2024

To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. CNN — Ancient Egypt’s pyramids, pharaohs and artifacts delight the imagination, reigniting wonder of the distant past in every generation. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Aug. 2024

Hearing her discuss the Old Testament, Exodus, the pharaohs and Joseph, the pope pronounced her a theologian. —Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2024

The markings ranged from drawings of ancient Egyptian pharaohs to inscriptions. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 17 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pharao, from Old English, from Late Latin pharaon-, pharao, from Greek pharaō, from Hebrew parʽōh, from Egyptian pr-ʽʾ̹

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pharaoh

• pharaoh ant

Kids Definition

pharaoh

noun

pha·​raoh ˈfe(ə)r-ō  ˈfa(ə)r- 

ˈfā-rō

often capitalized

: a ruler of ancient Egypt

Etymology

Old English pharao "pharaoh," from Latin pharaon-, pharao (same meaning), from Greek pharaō (same meaning), from Hebrew par'ōh "pharaoh," of Egyptian origin