Pharaoh

[ fair-oh, far-oh, fey-roh ]

noun

1. a title of an ancient Egyptian king.
2. (lowercase) any person who uses power or authority to oppress others; tyrant.

Pharaoh

/ fɛəˈrɒnɪk; ˈfɛərəʊ /

noun

1. the title of the ancient Egyptian kings

pharaoh

1. The title of the kings of ancient Egypt (see also Egypt ). In the story of Joseph and his brothers , a pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of his entire kingdom. In the Book of Exodus , a pharaoh repeatedly refuses the request of Moses to let the Israelites leave the country and does not give in until after the worst of the ten plagues of Egypt .

Derived Forms

• Pharaonic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pharaoh¹

before 900; Middle English Pharao, Old English Pharaon < Latin pharaō < Greek pharaṓ (stem pharaōn- ) < Hebrew phārʿōh < Egyptian pr house + ʿʾ great; originally a designation for the palace, but used to refer to the king from the time of Akhenaton (14th cent. b.c.); -h restored from Hebrew

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pharaoh¹

Old English Pharaon, via Latin, Greek, and Hebrew ultimately from Egyptian pr-`o great house

Example Sentences

Much like the modern office of the American president, the Egyptian Pharaoh was considered the head of the state as well as the supreme commander of the armed forces.

From Realm of History

Such an incredible scope of wielding unconditional power was complemented by the Pharaoh’s association with divine entities.

From Realm of History

Just like in the Bible story, where they say the great Pharaoh held down the Jews, Israelites and all that.

From The Daily Beast

The only dissenting colleague said, “It reminds me of the head of a pharaoh.”

From The Daily Beast

“Joke of the day,” tweeted one well-known blogger, who writes under the pen name The Big Pharaoh.

From The Daily Beast

And did they bequeath to the military the task of rescuing the democratic impulse stifled by a pharaoh with an Islamist face?

From The Daily Beast

A boulder carved in 1884 marks the cemetery where Isaac Pharaoh, Julia Johnson, and some 200 others lie.

From The Daily Beast

The Virginia Assembly rewarded Pharaoh for his courageous act by giving him complete freedom.

From Project Gutenberg

During the delay, Pharaoh, one of the Negroes, decided to warn the Richmonders of their impending disaster.

From Project Gutenberg

Remember in what manner our fathers were saved in the Red Sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with a great army.

From Project Gutenberg

The Pharaoh of Joseph's time seems to have affiliated with the Israelites as natural friends,--to assist him in case of war.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile the king had died, and a new Pharaoh had ascended the throne.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• emperor
• king
• monarch
• ruler