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

It’s decorated with symbols and art reminiscent of the Triforce, the golden, in-game relic that can grant any wish. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Guadagnino undoes the bubble wrap and discovers Bertolucci’s viewfinder, a key relic for a filmmaker who may well have had the best eye in cinema history. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

But, Red Bull and its prioritizing of Verstappen aside, such an approach is a relic for modern teams. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

In one glass case sits a face shield, a vaccine vial and a large bottle of hand sanitizer — already considered relics of another time. — Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 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