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 six-story, century-old brick building is topped with a sixty-five-foot radio tower bearing the Clermont name—an original relic that came down years ago but was proudly resurrected at the hotel’s splashy grand opening in 2018. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

Claw machines could have been relics, lost to the ‘90s alongside spitball shooters and mall photobooths. —Anna Rahmanan, thehustle.co, 9 Jan. 2026

Sudan’s civil war has devastated the country’s cultural heritage, effectively wiping out centuries of valuable relics. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026

In a city with a constant gaze towards progress, The Milestone seemed like yet another relic left behind. —Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 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