basilica

[buh-sil-i-kuh, -zil-] /bəˈsɪl ɪ kə, -ˈzɪl-/
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.
Origin
1535-45; < Latin < Greek basilikḗ hall, short for basilikḗ oikía royal house. See basilic
Examples from the web for basilica
  • Graceful rows of columns stretched the length of the basilica, watching over the church's ornate mosaic floor.
  • Almost as impressive as its size is the haste with which the basilica went up.
  • Mexicans flock to the basilica each year, but also over the offerings that they deposit during their pilgrimages.
  • Provided the priest has his basilica and his altar, he has nothing further to say in the matter.
  • With historians seemingly satisfied that this head is indeed the head of the king, it is headed back to the basilica.
  • Architecture architecture of the basilica, well illustrated.
  • The interior is in the form of a basilica, the double aisles carried on ancient columns.
British Dictionary definitions for basilica

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
Derived Forms
basilican, basilic, adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Latin, from Greek basilikē hall, from basilikē oikia the king's house, from basileus king; see basil
Word Origin and History for basilica
n.

1540s, from Latin basilica "building of a court of justice," and, by extension, church built on the plan of one, from Greek (stoa) basilike "royal (portal)," the portico of the archon basileus, the official who dispensed justice in Athens, from basileus "king" (see Basil). In Rome, applied specifically to the seven principal churches founded by Constantine.

basilica in Culture
basilica [(buh-sil-uh-kuh)]

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.