We use the word pharaoh to mean a king of ancient Egypt, although the earliest Ancient Egyptians did not use that word themselves. The word originally meant palace. But in the days of the New Kingdom, and starting with Thutmose III, the word was used for the king, rather than the palace.

Kings after this time were absolute rulers. That is why the earliest kings, like Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure were able to command an entire nation to build the pyramids at Giza.