plural relics
1
: something that is from a past time, place, culture, etc.
—often + of or from
relics of ancient China
relics from the war
This law is a relic of a bygone era.
Typewriters are a relic of the past. [=typewriters are no longer used or considered modern]
2
: an object (such as a piece of clothing or the bone of a saint) that is considered holy
holy/sacred relics
Cite this Entry
“Relic.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/relic. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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