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

Your next dinner will be served in record-breaking time because this tomato-basil masterpiece only takes 20 minutes to cook. —Patricia S York, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026

The two specialty cocktails are the Herb Garden Elixir made with tequila blanco, cucumber, jalapenos, basil and lime, and the Planet Punch, which blends tequila reposado, passion fruit, orange juice, lime and grenadine. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

The mezze lumache alla vodka is prepared with fresh Italian sausage, basil, Calabrian chili and stracciatella cheese. —Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

At home, Marino skips the mayo altogether and mixes his tuna with olive oil, fresh tomatoes, and basil. —Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Apr. 2026

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