basilica

[ buh-sil-i-kuh, -zil- ]

/ bəˈsɪl ɪ kə, -ˈzɪl- /

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See synonyms for basilica on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

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

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

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Origin of basilica

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

Words nearby basilica

Basildon, basilect, Basil I, Basilian, basilic, basilica, basilican, Basilicata, basilic vein, basilisk, Basilius

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use basilica in a sentence

At the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast Washington, the largest Catholic church building in North America, the cafeteria that would normally host close to 1,000 people on Christmas was empty.
On a covid Christmas, a new routine for feeding the homeless|Paul Schwartzman|December 25, 2020|Washington Post
What Francis said to Law when the two of them met and briefly embraced at the Rome basilica is not known.
From Dirty War to Child Abuse, Church’s Past Confronts Pope Francis|Christopher Dickey|March 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The basilica is one of a handful of churches outside the walls of Vatican City owned by the Holy See.
Italian Police Probe Vatican, Mafia Links in Teen’s Disappearance 30 Years Ago|Barbie Latza Nadeau|April 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a church where the faithful come to pray for cures.
'Our Teddy Changed America'|Adam Clymer|August 29, 2009|DAILY BEAST

The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is not the biggest church in Boston, but it has two pieces of history.
Teddy's Catholic Pain|Adam Clymer|August 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
A stately basilica was erected over the entrance to the Catacomb, it is said in the time of Constantine.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
This is situated near the basilica of St. Agnes, and overlies part of the Catacomb.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
The Callevan Forum seems in general simpler than others, but its basilica is remarkably large.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
The Duomo is a basilica with nave and double aisles , with 110a transept flanked with aisles, covered by a dome over the crossing.
Florence and Northern Tuscany with Genoa|Edward Hutton
It is of basilica form, with a nave and aisles flanked by sixteen columns of sandstone.
Florence and Northern Tuscany with Genoa|Edward Hutton

British Dictionary definitions for basilica

basilica

/ (bəˈzɪlɪkə) /

noun

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

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

a Roman Catholic church having special ceremonial rights

Derived forms of basilica

basilican or basilic, adjective

Word Origin for basilica

C16: from Latin, from Greek basilikē hall, from basilikē oikia the king's house, from basileus king; see basil

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for basilica

basilica

[ (buh-sil-uh-kuh) ]

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.

basilica

Origin of basilica

Words nearby basilica

Words related to basilica

How to use basilica in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for basilica

Derived forms of basilica

Word Origin for basilica

Cultural definitions for basilica