Saint. Also the Great, a.d. 329?–379, bishop of Caesarea in Asia Minor (brother of Saint Gregory of Nyssa).
a first name: from a Greek word meaning “royal.”
Also called: sweet basil. a Eurasian plant, Ocimum basilicum , having spikes of small white flowers and aromatic leaves used as herbs for seasoning: family Lamiaceae (labiates)
Also called: wild basil. a European plant, Satureja vulgaris (or Clinopodium vulgare ), with dense clusters of small pink or whitish flowers: family Lamiaceae
a European plant, Acinos arvensis , having clusters of small violet-and-white flowers: family Lamiaceae
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English basile, from Middle French, from Late Latin basilicum, from Greek basilikón, neuter of basilikós “royal”; see origin at basilic
Basil is a strongly scented herb. Basil is commonly used on pizza, in spaghetti sauce, and in pesto. When you grow basil in an herb garden, you can pinch off the glossy, deep green leaves and use them for cooking. Basil is native to India, but it was introduced to other regions around the world so long ago that it's a basic ingredient in traditional Italian and Thai dishes, among others. The root of basil is the Greek basilikon, "royal plant," from basileus, "king."
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Pesto is made here with basil, extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts, garlic and grated cheese, all ground to a thick paste.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
We’re in the prime season for cooking with aromatics like basil, parsley, and mint, but recipes too often waste these ingredients’ potential.
From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026
In the past, foods including bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and scallions have been linked to cyclosporiasis.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
It has not ruled out other common sources of contamination like basil, raspberries or snow peas, or identified a grower or supplier that is responsible.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
On the table, under a wooden bowl to protect it from hungry rats and cats alike, sits a perfect little goat cheese wrapped in basil leaves.
From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
“It’s hard to justify a high valuation multiple for a U.S. shipbuilder like Philly from a foreign buyer, based on pure economics,” said Basil Karatzas, head of consulting firm Karatzas Marine Advisors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
Basil Smikle, a political strategist and professor at Columbia University, has argued that Black voters often vet candidates through a different lens than some other groups do.
From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026
Among them is Basil Liu, 25, who got into birding three years ago.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
The second son of Hafez al-Assad, he was not destined to be Syria's ruler until his brother, Basil, died in a car crash in 1994.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
As he advanced on them flailing the branch, he shouted at the top of his voice, “Basil, Basil Stag Hare, where are you?”
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
Most basils are technically all the same plant, Ocimum basilicum, and the most common variety is “sweet basil,” the fluffy green leaves you take home in a plastic clamshell or as a doomed houseplant.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 19, 2023
Visitors can choose one free plant from multiple varieties of tomatoes, peppers, basils, herbs, succulents, house plants and pollinators.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 31, 2023
And fetching a deep sigh, he gazes on the drooping sweet basils in silence.
From The Book of Khalid by Ameen Fares Rihani
Taking up a couple of large stones which lay near, Jack tried to beat the round basils of the fetters into an oval form, so as to enable him to slip his heels through them.
From Jack Sheppard A Romance by William Harrison Ainsworth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
