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

The theft of a relic of the Prophet Muhammad from the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, in Kashmir, in 1963 sets off riots in distant Khulna, Dhaka, and Calcutta. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

The expectation of a uniform corporate persona, Bersin argues, is a relic. — Kate Vitasek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

The recent release of 2026 Topps Chrome Baseball features Back-to-Back Gold Logoman patch autographed one-of-a-kind cards of Ohtani and Judge, taking those relics from jerseys worn in each of their 2024 and 2025 MVP seasons. — Larry Holder, New York Times, 27 July 2026

The film, starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Hugh Grant, Justice Smith and Sophia Lillis, follows an unlikely band of heroes who must work together to find a lost relic. — Matt Minton, Variety, 25 July 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