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

High-altitude rivalry The blurry boundaries through the Himalayan peaks and plateaus separating China and its southern neighbors are often relics of imperial era agreements and nomadic routes – now charged with the nationalist rhetoric and military might of New Delhi and Beijing. —Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

The chapel was meant to house relics of the martyrs and apostles, Rossi said. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024

But momentum has taken a hit after being removed from Edinburgh 2026 even though the Commonwealth Games is largely deemed as archaic, its relevance dwindling over the decades, and a relic of a bygone era. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

This might be an uncomfortable statement for some, particularly those who find belief in any sort of deity to be an outdated relic of a bygone era. —Donovan McAbee, TIME, 28 Oct. 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