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
1
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."
2
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 notesIn plain EnglishA grand church, or (originally) a large Roman public hall.
Common pairings
Roman basilica
St Peter's Basilica
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Word forms
- Plural
- basilicas, basilicae
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."
Rhymes for basilica
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.
