Jump To:

• 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

• basils
  plural

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.

---

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.”

---

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

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• basils
  plural

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

See Examples For:

basil Basil basils

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

Same with precut or packaged lettuce, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions.

From Salon ● Jul. 25, 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

As an afterthought, he pinched a cucumber loose from its vine nearby, and pulled some leaves from a clump of basil.

From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry

Why don’t I diversify where I can live?’” said Basil Mohr-Elzeki, a managing partner at Henley & Partners, a residency and citizenship firm with an office in Beverly Hills.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

More rich Americans are seeking residency and citizenship programs abroad than any other nationality, says Basil Mohr-Elzeki, head of private clients Americas at London migration specialist Henley & Partners.

From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026

The group’s president, Basil Russo—a former Democratic politician from Cleveland—said Columbus had become a scapegoat for Western colonization.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026

All better: Basil, the fox who sneaked on a ship to New York.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 3, 2026

Basil snatched the tapestry and reached beneath his tunic.

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