basilica

noun

ba·​sil·​i·​ca bə-ˈsi-li-kə 

 also  -ˈzi-

1

: an oblong building ending in a semicircular apse used in ancient Rome especially for a court of justice and place of public assembly

2

: an early Christian church building consisting of nave and aisles with clerestory and a large high transept from which an apse projects

3

: a Roman Catholic church given ceremonial privileges

basilican

bə-ˈsi-li-kən 

 also  -ˈzi-

adjective

Did you know?

From their noun basileus, meaning “king,” the Greeks derived the adjective basilikos meaning “royal.” In ancient Thera there was a public building called “Basilike stoa,” or Royal portico, and it may have been the prototype of later Roman basilicas. The first of these was built in 184 ce, and by the time of Augustus, there were five basilicas in the vicinity of the forum. They were used for public assembly, transacting business, and judicial proceedings. When the first Christian churches were built, they were often modeled after the civil basilicas.

Examples of basilica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pope Francis visited the basilica — one of the four most prominent churches in the city and home to a relic of the Holy Cradle — over 100 times since becoming the Bishop of Rome, beginning after he was first elected. —Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Feb. 2025

The basilica was a part of the larger forum, which served in London as the political, judicial, commercial and social hub of the city. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025

But with a population of perhaps 40,000 residents, according to MOLA's Jackson, the decision to build such a sizeable basilica, almost 40 feet tall, represented a vote of confidence in the city's future. —Willem Marx, NPR, 18 Feb. 2025

Today, the ancient scriptorium is home to the abbey’s museum and open to visitors along with the monastery’s Renaissance-style basilica and main cloister. —Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, borrowed from Greek basilikḗ (for basilikḕ stoá "royal stoa"), noun derivative from feminine of basilikós "of a king, royal," from basil- (base of basileús "king, prince," of pre-Greek substratal origin) + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for basilica

• silica