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

British control over the islands is a relic of its colonial past. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026

For those willing to make the effort, the reward is a fleeting glimpse of a relic from the solar system's edge, revealed in the quietest moments of the day. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026

Ask for a tour, or just linger long enough around these relics, and a staffer will likely share legendary stories of these halls. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2026

While some dams serve critical purposes, protection from flooding and supplying drinking water, along the 80-mile-long Charles River, Kumpf says nearly 20 dams are simply relics of the region's industrial past. —Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 8 Apr. 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