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

• 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

The property transfer and payment afforded the city funding to knock down the five-story relic — which had been unused and deteriorating for decades — but clearing the lot of its large pile of debris remained a financial and logistical hurdle. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025

Leafing through this album was like poring over beloved relics from my fashion-magazine-loving youth. —Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025

Archaeologists in Alexandria, Egypt, recently recovered the ruins and relics of a 2,000-year-old city. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025

The Shroud of Turin — a 14-foot-long linen cloth bearing an image of a crucified man — has captivated people for centuries, stirring debate over whether the relic once wrapped the body of Jesus Christ. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025

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