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

• echo
• ghost
• shadow
• trace
• vestige

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 resort is filled with one-of-a-kind relics from the owners' travels around the world. —Gabrielle Nicole Pharms, Travel + Leisure, 1 Jan. 2025

The original Moana film is inspired by Polynesian myths, and is about strong-willed Moana, who is the daughter of a village chief chosen by the ocean to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. —Ally Neagen, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024

Ice Age Mastodon Died Nearly 100 Miles From Home In Bloody Battle By Jess Thomson Science Reporter 0 A New York homeowner found a very unexpected relic lurking just beneath his lawn while gardening: a jawbone from a long-extinct giant. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

Instead, LeClaire pointed to a large chunk of concrete with a tangle of rebar sticking out of it, like a giant spider, wedged in the sand – a relic from last year’s explosion. —Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024

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

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