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

The stone foundations of the basilica, which were recently uncovered by the lake's receding waters, are believed to be on the site of an earlier church that hosted the council 1,700 years ago. —Arkansas Online, 29 Nov. 2025

As the shoreline has since receded, the full footprint of the basilica — its apse and dozens of graves — now sits on dry land. —Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 28 Nov. 2025

On Thursday, the pope will fly by helicopter to Iznik for a prayer at the archaeological remains of the basilica where the council met. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025

Featuring works by artists such as Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the basilica serves as the global symbol of the Catholic Church. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 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