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

But those relics of history paled in comparison to the ambience — and opulence — of the Forest Theater. —Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026

Duffy cast the backlash as a relic of the crack cocaine epidemic, during which smoking was the main route of administration. —Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026

Perhaps the artistic fraternity of the ’70s is not a relic, but a model. —Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026

For many, the best body mists served as an early introduction to fragrance; though, that doesn’t mean these airy scents should be filed away as a relic of teenage nostalgia. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 9 Feb. 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