basilica

noun

ba·​sil·​i·​ca bə-ˈsi-li-kə 

also -ˈzi-

1

: an oblong building ending in a semicircular apse used in ancient Rome especially for a court of justice and place of public assembly

2

: an early Christian church building consisting of nave and aisles with clerestory and a large high transept from which an apse projects

3

: a Roman Catholic church given ceremonial privileges

basilican

bə-ˈsi-li-kən 

also -ˈzi-

adjective

Did you know?

From their noun basileus, meaning “king,” the Greeks derived the adjective basilikos meaning “royal.” In ancient Thera there was a public building called “Basilike stoa,” or Royal portico, and it may have been the prototype of later Roman basilicas. The first of these was built in 184 ce, and by the time of Augustus, there were five basilicas in the vicinity of the forum. They were used for public assembly, transacting business, and judicial proceedings. When the first Christian churches were built, they were often modeled after the civil basilicas.

Examples of basilica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Choristers from the oldest choir in Europe sang as the basilica was bathed in color by a light show and fireworks. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 13 June 2026

Leo pressed his migration message and also inaugurated the new tower of the Sagrada Familia basilica. —ABC News, 12 June 2026

Continue your Gaudí tour at Sagrada Família basilica before moving on to the Picasso Museum. —Elizabeth Preske, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026

On Wednesday, June 10, Pope Leo XIV inaugurated the tower with a mass on the 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudí, the architect of the basilica. —Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, borrowed from Greek basilikḗ (for basilikḕ stoá "royal stoa"), noun derivative from feminine of basilikós "of a king, royal," from basil- (base of basileús "king, prince," of pre-Greek substratal origin) + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for basilica

• silica