basilica

noun

ba·​sil·​i·​ca bə-ˈsi-li-kə 

also -ˈzi-

1

: an oblong building ending in a semicircular apse used in ancient Rome especially for a court of justice and place of public assembly

2

: an early Christian church building consisting of nave and aisles with clerestory and a large high transept from which an apse projects

3

: a Roman Catholic church given ceremonial privileges

basilican

bə-ˈsi-li-kən 

also -ˈzi-

adjective

Did you know?

From their noun basileus, meaning “king,” the Greeks derived the adjective basilikos meaning “royal.” In ancient Thera there was a public building called “Basilike stoa,” or Royal portico, and it may have been the prototype of later Roman basilicas. The first of these was built in 184 ce, and by the time of Augustus, there were five basilicas in the vicinity of the forum. They were used for public assembly, transacting business, and judicial proceedings. When the first Christian churches were built, they were often modeled after the civil basilicas.

Examples of basilica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Finds at the Ehnasiya necropolis, once Heracleópolis Magna, include massive basilica columns, inscriptions of Middle Kingdom pharaoh Senusret III and terracotta coin molds, underscoring the city’s role as a bustling Roman-era commercial hub. —Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026

About 120 of them engage in adoration and weekend-long spiritual retreats, the first of which saw organizers and the basilica’s rector stay up to prepare the church until well past midnight. —ABC News, 1 June 2026

Just beyond the property, the beautiful basilica Sacré Coeur is right on your doorstep. —Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 29 May 2026

Designed by Antoni Gaudi, the basilica has been under construction since 1882, and that unfinished quality has long been part of its fascination. —David Nikel, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, borrowed from Greek basilikḗ (for basilikḕ stoá "royal stoa"), noun derivative from feminine of basilikós "of a king, royal," from basil- (base of basileús "king, prince," of pre-Greek substratal origin) + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for basilica

• silica