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

This hilltop neighborhood, capped by the white-domed Sacré-Cœur basilica, was once a muse for artists like Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec. —Elissa Garay, AFAR Media, 3 Sep. 2025

The family of five visited a number of historical sites, from Roman basilicas to the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, even sampling authentic Italian gelato. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Archaeologists have excavated Hippos continuously since the year 2000, finding a treasure trove that includes a Roman basilica, theater and bathhouse, Roman-era gates and gold jewelry a key vantage point for trade, agriculture and defense during the Byzantine period. —Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Amazingly, the group performed in the great cathedrals and basilicas in Rome (including the Vatican), Assisi, Florence and Venice. Closer to home, the group took a performance tour in 2019 that included Toronto, Canada, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. —Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025

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