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

Skull removal and bone relics have been documented in various groups in Africa, though not this early. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 4 Jan. 2026

By Nadia Lathan, CalMatters Fridge-less apartments dotting the pricey California rental market will soon be a head-scratching relic. —Calmatters, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025

By Nadia Lathan | CalMatters Fridge-less apartments dotting the pricey California rental market will soon be a head-scratching relic. —Calmatters, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025

See Space Race relics from the Cold War. —Sharael Kolberg, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025

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