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

With its puffy tongue and fat laces, the Lynzie is a relic of 2000s skate shoes and came before Vans streamlined its lineup to focus on a slate of classic models. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 28 May 2026

The 700-year-old circular Bellver Castle is an architectural gem, briefly used as royal residence, mostly as a ghastly political and military prison over six centuries, and now a museum of Roman and other relics. —Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026

The rules are a relic of a bygone era, when barbers originated as a branch of surgeons; the same people who were supposed to cut hair were also expected to cut other body parts. —Eric Zamparripa, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026

Meadowview granted Crabtree and Lagasse permission to search for relics, as long as findings would become part of a future museum in the property’s 1830s farmhouse. —Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 26 May 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