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

Built in 1475 as the residence of Doge Andrea Gritti, the palazzo overlooks the Grand Canal, directly across from the Santa Maria della Salute basilica. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Lines stretched more than half a mile north of the Vatican, and some people reported waits of about three hours to get inside the basilica. —Susan Miller, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025

The pontiff was interred at the basilica on Saturday, after his wooden coffin was driven through the streets of Rome on the popemobile, passing the Colosseum and thousands of mourners on its way. —Rosa Rahimi, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025

Crowd applauds as Pope Francis' coffin is brought out of basilica The mourners assembled in St. Peter’s Square broke into applause as pallbearers carried the pope's coffin outside. —Sean Keane, ABC News, 26 Apr. 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