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

Its terrace looks out over the Grand Canal onto a domed basilica. —Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025

Throughout the month, protesters have hung anti-Bezos posters and banners on various locations across the city, including the bell tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica and the famous Rialto Bridge. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 23 June 2025

The outlet reported Wednesday that protesters have posted anti-Bezos banners from the bell tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica and the Rialto Bridge. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025

Notre-Dame de la Garde, the basilica that towers over Marseille with its golden Madonna, has an ornate Byzantine interior and panoramic views of the city. —Lily Radziemski, New York Times, 29 May 2025

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