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 of relic

• artifact
• trace
• remnant
• vestige
• ghost
• reminder
• echo
• shadow

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

Other public recognitions and relics of Kahanamoku’s story exist around Orange County. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 3 June 2026

The Caravan Court Hotel reopened in Arlington this week, replacing a 65-year-old relic of postwar Americana with a shiny new $60 million luxury tower deeply rooted in the city’s history. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026

The last three years were spent in Lafayette, Indiana, where every high school gymnasium and baseball and football field feels like a relic. —Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 1 June 2026

Once considered delightfully kitschy relics of suburban Americana, porch geese are waddling their way back into the spotlight. —Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 29 May 2026

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

Rhymes for relic

• telic
• allelic
• angelic
• philatelic
• psychedelic

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