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

Louisiana officials agree they’re no longer needed and describe them as relics of a time when Black students were forbidden from attending some schools. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

The red and white Victorian farmhouse had belonged to their friend, the late Steve Baker, who served as the city’s longtime historian and had packed the property with thousands of antique relics over his lifetime. — Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Despite that, Miller’s love for what might now be considered relics never died. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026

One relic from the 1960s was likely written when the couple worked under Theodor Geisel at Beginner Books. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 Aug. 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