pharaoh

noun

often capitalized
1
: a ruler of ancient Egypt
2
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Could an Egyptian pharaoh or a Chinese emperor have used a stiff drink or two to build their kingdoms? Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 16 July 2025 In April, a University of Pennsylvania professor spoke with Fox News Digital about unearthing the tomb of an unknown pharaoh near Abydos. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025 The ultimate hidden room: a tomb of a pharaoh like King Tut. Nancy Giles may 18, CBS News, 18 May 2025 In the latter, an anthropology student is consumed by her research on a rare female pharaoh that her colleagues dismiss as unimportant. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pharaoh

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pharaoh was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pharaoh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharaoh. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

pharaoh

noun
pha·​raoh ˈfe(ə)r-ō How to pronounce pharaoh (audio) ˈfa(ə)r- How to pronounce pharaoh (audio)
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

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