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

The farm in the mountains south of Fayetteville grows nine different varieties of lettuce, including red and green varieties of Bibb, Oakleaf and Sweet Crisp lettuces, romaine, arugula, kale, bok choy, microgreens, as well as herbs like basil, thyme and oregano. —Cristina Larue, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025

This oh-so-comforting lasagna recipe is filled with four types of cheese and other Italian favorites like ground beef, basil, and garlic. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025

Similarly, Arden wanted to rectify a misstep from week six by redoing a raspberry and basil syrup for his raspberry cake. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

The cake is meant to taste like a raspberry sponge soaked in raspberry and basil syrup with mango and passion-fruit ganache in between the layers and covered in buttercream and something that is either actual moss or just looks like moss but tastes like something else. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for basil

• dazzle

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