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

The pope is scheduled to preside over Mass from that basilica on April 22, the last full day of his trip.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

The pope also announced that he would return to the basilica on 11 April to lead a prayer vigil for peace.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Severus sponsored public building projects throughout the empire: Many of the most impressive surviving Roman remains—not least the Severan forum and basilica in his home city of Leptis Magna—date from his reign.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

The basilica -- located in Vatican City, the world's smallest state -- contains the tomb of St Peter, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ and the first pope.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

The basilica is a vast, cavernous, echoing space, with all sorts of alcoves, balconies, domes, cupolas and arches affecting its acoustics.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall