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

The terms cathedral and basilica can sound interchangeable—both conjure images of grand, historic churches. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 May 2026

Leo opened his visit to Pompeii by meeting with sick and disabled people who are cared for by a charity center affiliated with the sanctuary, which Leo’s namesake, Pope Leo XIII, declared a pontifical basilica in 1901. —ABC News, 8 May 2026

Leo will celebrate an evening Mass in the basilica and inaugurate its Tower of Jesus Christ, the soaring central piece that was moved into place in February. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

In Quebec, that’s Our Lady of Quebec City, the cathedral-basilica that has stood at its current site since 1647. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 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