basilica

American  

[buh-sil-i-kuh, -zil-] / bəˈsɪl ɪ kə, -ˈzɪl- /

noun

1. an early Christian or medieval church of the type built especially in Italy, characterized by a plan including a nave, two or four side aisles, a semicircular apse, a narthex, and often other features, as a short transept, a number of small semicircular apses terminating the aisles, or an atrium. The interior is characterized by strong horizontality, with little or no attempt at rhythmic accents. All spaces are usually covered with timber roofs or ceilings except for the apse or apses, which are vaulted.

2. one of the seven main churches of Rome or another Roman Catholic church accorded the same religious privileges.

3. (in ancient Rome) a large oblong building used as a hall of justice and public meeting place.

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basilica British  

/ bəˈzɪlɪkə /

noun

1. a Roman building, used for public administration, having a large rectangular central nave with an aisle on each side and an apse at the end

2. a rectangular early Christian or medieval church, usually having a nave with clerestories, two or four aisles, one or more vaulted apses, and a timber roof

3. a Roman Catholic church having special ceremonial rights

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basilica Cultural  

1. A large Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox church building. A basilica is built with several parallel aisles separated by rows of columns, ending in a semicircular structure, the apse. Saint Peter's Basilica is the church of the Vatican in Rome.

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Other Word Forms

• basilican
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of basilica

1535–45; < Latin < Greek basilikḗ hall, short for basilikḗ oikía royal house. See basilic

Example Sentences

To film it, the production took over Budapest’s famous St. Stephen’s Basilica.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Connections like these abound in the exhibition, which is very much intended to complement a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, just a 30-minute drive away.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

In the afternoon, Leo will celebrate Mass at the hilltop Basilica of Saint Augustine in the presence of clergy from across Africa.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

At a peace vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, Leo said that that a “delusion of omnipotence” is fueling the war that has left thousands dead.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Prosper pushed his brother past a bride and groom who were having their picture taken in front of the Basilica.

From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke