basilica

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

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.

basilica

/ 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

basilica

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.

Other Word Forms

• basilican adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of basilica¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of basilica¹

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

Example Sentences

The Christian martyr, who now has the title of "blessed" before his name, was lauded in the basilica full of joyous Congolese faithful waving flags.

From BBC

On Saturday, he visited a shrine outside Rome and then prayed before the tomb of his late predecessor Francis inside the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

From BBC

Couples snapped the last selfies outside the basilica.

From BBC

The other prime spot to catch a cardinal is beside the basilica itself, next to the curve of columns that embraces the main square.

From BBC

The basilica sits near the Colosseum, a stone's throw from the city's endlessly bustling and chaotic central Termini station - well beyond the limits of the Vatican, where popes are traditionally entombed.

From BBC