relic

noun

rel·​ic ˈre-lik 

1

a

: an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr

b

: souvenir, memento

2

relics plural : remains, corpse

3

: a survivor or remnant left after decay, disintegration, or disappearance

4

: a trace of some past or outmoded practice, custom, or belief

Synonyms of relic

• artifact
• trace
• remnant
• vestige
• ghost
• reminder
• echo
• shadow

Examples of relic in a Sentence

a crude stone ax and other relics of the Neanderthals

in my grandparents' attic are many “groovy” relics from the 1960s

Recent Examples on the Web

Elgin had used the vessel to transport artifacts from Greece to Britain, including relics taken from the Parthenon and other monuments on the Greek Acropolis, the ministry said. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026

Marble Canyon Lodge Up north, Marble Canyon Lodge has shed its roadside relic skin for something far more intentional. —Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026

In the age of artificial intelligence, the blue book — sheets of lined paper stapled in a blue booklet — seems an ancient relic. —Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 18 Mar. 2026

The without even features a pilgrimage to Topanga Tower, the mysterious cold-war relic in the Santa Monica mountains. —Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English relik, from Anglo-French relike, from Medieval Latin reliquia, from Late Latin reliquiae, plural, remains of a martyr, from Latin, remains, from relinquere to leave behind — more at relinquish

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing relic

• relic of the past

Rhymes for relic

• telic
• allelic
• angelic
• philatelic
• psychedelic

Kids Definition

relic

noun

rel·​ic ˈrel-ik 

1

: an object treated with great respect because of its connection with a saint or martyr

2

: something left behind after decay or disappearance

relics of ancient cities