noun pl. basilicas
- Obsolete a royal palace
- in ancient Rome, a rectangular building with a broad nave ending in an apse, and flanked by colonnaded aisles, used as a courtroom, public hall, etc.
- a Christian church built in this style
- R.C.Ch. a church granted certain ceremonial rights
Origin:
L < Gr basilikē (stoa), royal (portico) < basilikos: see basil