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

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

Keep pruning the leaves for your cooking and basil will last until the first frost. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2024

Our favorite combination is strawberry, lemon, and basil, but the possibilities are endless! 02 Pear Old-Fashioned View Recipe Put a fruity spin on this iconic drink by adding pear nectar to the classic old-fashioned recipe. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 2024

While chicken is cooking, season the shrimp with 1 tablespoon fresh basil, then add to pan. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024

Stir then float in the strawberries (sliced), orange (sliced in rounds) and basil leaves. —Jillian Dara, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

Serve the soup in shallow bowls, topped with a large dollop of the ricotta mixture and a few torn basil leaves. —Christina Morales, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024

Snip off the top four to six inches of the basil stem, keeping the leaves on. —Washington Post, 31 Jan. 2024

Add bay leaves, oregano, ground cumin, basil and coriander. —Bridgette A. Lacy, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 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