basil

noun

ba·​sil ˈba-zəl  ˈbā-  -səl 

1

: any of several aromatic herbs (genus Ocimum) of the mint family

especially : sweet basil

2

: the dried or fresh leaves of a basil used especially as a seasoning

Examples of basil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thursday, Infinite Herbs said that basil, sold from Feb. 1 through April 6, also went to Massachusetts via two Fruit Center Marketplace stores. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2024

For that, consider planting lavender, basil, marigolds, catnip, lemongrass, or lemon balm, all of which are proven to be more effective at deterring pesky pests. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024

Image Image Image Throughout the night, guests mingled in the garden over cocktails — rose-and-grapefruit Negronis, Aperol or limoncello spritzes with basil, and Pimm’s punch — and ate dishes prepared by the Parisian chef Rose Chalalai Singh, who devised a menu of inventive Thai-Italian snacks. —Laura May Todd, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024

Other herb favorites include African blue basil, marigolds, and nasturtiums which all aid in fighting disease while improving egg production, proving that the mindful selection of plants can be beneficial to your overall garden, wildlife habitat, and chicken flock’s health. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024

In a medium-size bowl mix red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon basil, oregano and pepper. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024

Canned diced tomatoes: Adding cans of seasoned tomatoes—chiles for some heat, and basil, garlic, and oregano for an Italian-leaning casserole—is a quick and cheap way to pack your beef casseroles with plenty of flavor. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024

Once the sauce has finished cooking, salt to taste and remove the basil sprigs and the garlic. —Mark Holgate, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2024

Perennials: Peruvian lilies (Alstroemeria), native monkey flower (Mimulus and Diplacus), many kinds of sages (Salvia), roses, African blue basil, Jerusalem sage (Phlomis frutescens), Mexican tulip poppy (Hunnemannia fumariifolia), South African daisy (Arctotis). —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English basyl, basyle, shortening (perhaps by confusion with Middle French basile "basilisk") of Middle French basilic or its source, Medieval Latin basilicon, borrowed from Greek basilikón (for presumed basilikòn phytón "royal plant"), noun derivative from neuter of basilikós "royal" — more at basilica

Note: The word basilikón as a name for a plant or herb is marginally attested in ancient and early post-classical Greek, the usual word for what is presumed to be Ocimum basilicum in Greek being ṓkimon. The identity of a lákhanon basilikón ("royal herb") in the pseudo-Aristotelian De plantis (2nd century b.c.) is uncertain. The lexicon of Hesychius (5th-6th centuries a.d., incorporating much ancient material) glosses ṓkimon as "fragrant herb, called basilikón" ("botánē euṓdēs, tò legómenon basilikón").

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing basil

• bush basil
• sweet basil

Kids Definition

basil

noun

bas·​il

ˈbaz-əl,

ˈbāz-,

ˈbas-,

ˈbās-

: any of several plants of the mint family

especially : sweet basil

Biographical Definition

Basil

biographical name

Bas·​il ˈbā-zəl 

ˈba-,

-səl

variants or Basilius

bə-ˈsi-lē-əs 

-ˈzi-

Saint circa 329–379 the Great church father; bishop of Caesarea