noun Uncommon

basilica

buh-SIH-lih-kuh

Basilica (noun) means a large, important church building, often granted special ceremonial status by the Pope. Example: “St Peter's Basilica in Rome draws millions of visitors each year.”

noun

A large, important church building, often granted special ceremonial status by the Pope.

"St Peter's Basilica in Rome draws millions of visitors each year."

A long rectangular hall used in ancient Rome for public business, courts, or gatherings.

"The ruins of the old Roman basilica still stand in the forum."

How to use basilica

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA grand church, or (originally) a large Roman public hall.

Common pairings

Roman basilica St Peter's Basilica

Word forms

basilicas plural, basilicae plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “basilica” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

St Peter's _____ in Rome draws millions of visitors each year.

Etymology

From Latin basilica, from Greek basilike (stoa), "royal (hall)," from basileus, "king."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for basilica

mica Erica chica Utica Africa silica Attica Monica Danica Jamaica replica formica

See all rhymes for basilica →

Frequently asked questions

What does “basilica” mean?

The word “basilica” means a large, important church building, often granted special ceremonial status by the Pope. In plain terms, a grand church, or (originally) a large Roman public hall.

How do you pronounce “basilica”?

“Basilica” is pronounced buh-SIH-lih-kuh (/bəˈsɪlɪkə/ in IPA).

How do you use “basilica” in a sentence?

Here is “basilica” used in a sentence: “St Peter's Basilica in Rome draws millions of visitors each year.”

What part of speech is “basilica”?

“Basilica” is a noun.

Where does the word “basilica” come from?

The word “basilica” comes from Latin. From Latin basilica, from Greek basilike (stoa), "royal (hall)," from basileus, "king.".

Is “basilica” a common word?

“Basilica” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “basilica” have?

“Basilica” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, important church building, often granted special ceremonial status by the Pope.