basil

noun

ba·​sil ˈba-zəl  ˈbā-  -səl 

1

: any of several aromatic herbs (genus Ocimum) of the mint family

especially : sweet basil

2

: the dried or fresh leaves of a basil used especially as a seasoning

Examples of basil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What began as a quick bite to hold me over until dinner turned into a fully fledged feast of lemon tagliolini with swordfish ragu, maccheroncini cacio e pepe with citrus, and paccheri pasta with tomatoes, burrata, and basil. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025

Herbs like basil should be harvested from the top to promote healthier, bushier plant growth. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025

Heirloom or cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and torn basil topped with a drizzle of olive oil and this glaze make for the ideal appetizer. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025

His recipe calls for muddling sweet Sun Gold tomatoes and fresh basil, plus a smidge of salt and sugar until juicy; then stirring in gin, vermouth, and ice until well-chilled. —The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English basyl, basyle, shortening (perhaps by confusion with Middle French basile "basilisk") of Middle French basilic or its source, Medieval Latin basilicon, borrowed from Greek basilikón (for presumed basilikòn phytón "royal plant"), noun derivative from neuter of basilikós "royal" — more at basilica

Note: The word basilikón as a name for a plant or herb is marginally attested in ancient and early post-classical Greek, the usual word for what is presumed to be Ocimum basilicum in Greek being ṓkimon. The identity of a lákhanon basilikón ("royal herb") in the pseudo-Aristotelian De plantis (2nd century b.c.) is uncertain. The lexicon of Hesychius (5th-6th centuries a.d., incorporating much ancient material) glosses ṓkimon as "fragrant herb, called basilikón" ("botánē euṓdēs, tò legómenon basilikón").

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing basil

• bush basil
• sweet basil

Rhymes for basil

• dazzle

Kids Definition

basil

noun

bas·​il

ˈbaz-əl,

ˈbāz-,

ˈbas-,

ˈbās-

: any of several plants of the mint family

especially : sweet basil

Biographical Definition

Basil

biographical name

Bas·​il ˈbā-zəl 

ˈba-,

-səl

variants or Basilius

bə-ˈsi-lē-əs 

-ˈzi-

Saint circa 329–379 the Great church father; bishop of Caesarea