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• basil
  basil

  noun

  any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Ocimum, of the mint family: prized for its savory green leaves, sweet basil (O. basilicum) has more than 150 culinary cultivars, including the tiny-leafed bush basil, the large-leafed mammoth basil, and the purple-leafed dark opal basil.
• Basil
  Basil

  noun

  Saint. Also the Great, a.d. 329?–379, bishop of Caesarea in Asia Minor (brother of Saint Gregory of Nyssa).

basil

¹ American  

[baz-uhl, bas-, bey-zuhl, -suhl] / ˈbæz əl, ˈbæs-, ˈbeɪ zəl, -səl /

noun

1. any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Ocimum, of the mint family: prized for its savory green leaves, sweet basil (O. basilicum) has more than 150 culinary cultivars, including the tiny-leafed bush basil, the large-leafed mammoth basil, and the purple-leafed dark opal basil.

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Basil ² American  

[baz-uhl, bas-, bey-zuhl, -suhl] / ˈbæz əl, ˈbæs-, ˈbeɪ zəl, -səl /

noun

1. Saint. Also the Great, a.d. 329?–379, bishop of Caesarea in Asia Minor (brother of Saint Gregory of Nyssa).

2. a first name: from a Greek word meaning “royal.”

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basil ¹ British  

/ ˈbæzəl /

noun

1. 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)

2. Also called: wild basil.  a European plant, Satureja vulgaris (or Clinopodium vulgare ), with dense clusters of small pink or whitish flowers: family Lamiaceae

3. a European plant, Acinos arvensis , having clusters of small violet-and-white flowers: family Lamiaceae

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Basil ² British  

/ ˈbæzəl /

noun

1. Saint , called the Great , ?329–379 _ad , Greek patriarch: an opponent of Arianism and one of the founders of monasticism. Feast day: Jan 2, June 14, or Jan 1

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Etymology

Origin of basil

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

Explanation

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."

Example Sentences

I swirled a half-cup around the crust and dolloped it with fat shreds of fresh mozzarella and torn basil leaves.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Finish with torn basil, a decisive grind of black pepper, perhaps a small squeeze of lemon if it needs brightness.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

Depending on the season, fields are filled with a variety of greens, cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes and peppers, while herbs like basil, black sage, rosemary and marjoram perfume the gardens.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

It’s a dish both humble and indulgent, part Italian-American tradition, part Midwestern weeknight comfort, where fennel and basil lend aromatic depth and the meat-sauce mix keeps each forkful savory and layered.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

Each time, the berserker blasted a spice cart and sent plumes of red Sichuan peppercorns, yellow mustard, purple basil, blue juniper, black sesame, brown cumin, and green ginger whirling into the air.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri