relic

noun

rel·​ic ˈre-lik 

1

a

: an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr

b

: souvenir, memento

2

relics plural : remains, corpse

3

: a survivor or remnant left after decay, disintegration, or disappearance

4

: a trace of some past or outmoded practice, custom, or belief

Synonyms of relic

• artifact
• trace
• remnant
• vestige
• ghost
• reminder
• echo
• shadow

Examples of relic in a Sentence

a crude stone ax and other relics of the Neanderthals

in my grandparents' attic are many “groovy” relics from the 1960s

Recent Examples on the Web

If Multiverse of Madness was Raimi attempting to get weird in an era where superhero movies were too big, important, and established, Darkman is a relic of a time before there were really any sorts of expectations for the genre. —James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026

If these reflections leave you feeling content and connected, then your relationship likely still has a beating heart—and isn’t just a relic of a time long ago. —Gabrielle Kassel, SELF, 29 Jan. 2026

Inside the Normal School capsule were relics related to the 1881 assassination of President Garfield, along with the 1881 Los Angeles population count, at 11,183. —Julie Sharp, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026

Those army-green relics are postcard-perfect by anyone's standard. —Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English relik, from Anglo-French relike, from Medieval Latin reliquia, from Late Latin reliquiae, plural, remains of a martyr, from Latin, remains, from relinquere to leave behind — more at relinquish

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing relic

• relic of the past

Rhymes for relic

• telic
• allelic
• angelic
• philatelic
• psychedelic

Kids Definition

relic

noun

rel·​ic ˈrel-ik 

1

: an object treated with great respect because of its connection with a saint or martyr

2

: something left behind after decay or disappearance

relics of ancient cities