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 .

Derived Forms

• baˈsilican, 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

Just weeks earlier, Sunday Mass had been interrupted by chants from the altar of the basilica.

From BBC

The event also kicks off the final seven-month dash of preparations and public works projects to be completed by Dec. 24, when Francis opens the basilica’s Holy Door and formally inaugurates the Jubilee.

From Seattle Times

He then re-emerged on the basilica’s balcony, lined with flowers, where he spoke about the toll that conflicts take on civilians.

From New York Times

Previously, popes performed the ritual on Catholic men only at a Rome basilica.

From Seattle Times

As the color drained from the sky, a group gathered before the white-stoned basilica of St. Denis, where dozens of French kings are buried, to pay homage to their ancestors.

From New York Times