basil

noun

ba·sil ˈba-zəl How to pronounce basil (audio)

ˈbā-

-səl

: any of several aromatic herbs (genus Ocimum) of the mint family

especially : sweet basil

: the dried or fresh leaves of a basil used especially as a seasoning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Traditional bruschetta with roma tomatoes, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic drizzle is the opener.

Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 Add basil and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 3 Sep. 2022 These bite-size poppers are made with pizza crust, cheese, and a topping of cherry tomatoes and basil.

Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2022 Add fresh basil, butter, and black pepper, to taste.

Daniel Ford, The New Yorker, 11 July 2022 If making up to four hours ahead, don’t add basil; cover and chill.

Sunset Magazine, 1 July 2022 Add the basil and, with the motor running, add the oil in a slow and steady stream until pesto is mostly smooth, with just a few flecks of green, about 1 minute.

Chuck Blount, ExpressNews.com, 25 Jan. 2021 Mozzarella tends to slowly flow over the edges, pulling pepperoni cups or snipped basil and Calabrian chiles along with it.

Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2022 Growing your own basil, parsley, or mint is also cheaper than purchasing herbs from the grocery store.

Erica Sweeney, Good Housekeeping, 29 July 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English basyl, basyle, shortening (perhaps by confusion with Middle French basile "basilisk") of Middle French basilic or its source, Medieval Latin basilicon, borrowed from Greek basilikón (for presumed basilikòn phytón "royal plant"), noun derivative from neuter of basilikós "royal" — more at basilica

Note: The word basilikón as a name for a plant or herb is marginally attested in ancient and early post-classical Greek, the usual word for what is presumed to be Ocimum basilicum in Greek being ṓkimon. The identity of a lákhanon basilikón ("royal herb") in the pseudo-Aristotelian De plantis (2nd century b.c.) is uncertain. The lexicon of Hesychius (5th-6th centuries a.d., incorporating much ancient material) glosses ṓkimon as "fragrant herb, called basilikón" ("botánē euṓdēs, tò legómenon basilikón").

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

单词	basil
释义	basil noun ba·sil ˈba-zəl ˈbā- -səl 1 : any of several aromatic herbs (genus Ocimum) of the mint family especially : sweet basil 2 : the dried or fresh leaves of a basil used especially as a seasoning Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web Traditional bruschetta with roma tomatoes, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic drizzle is the opener. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 Add basil and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 3 Sep. 2022 These bite-size poppers are made with pizza crust, cheese, and a topping of cherry tomatoes and basil. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2022 Add fresh basil, butter, and black pepper, to taste. Daniel Ford, The New Yorker, 11 July 2022 If making up to four hours ahead, don’t add basil; cover and chill. Sunset Magazine, 1 July 2022 Add the basil and, with the motor running, add the oil in a slow and steady stream until pesto is mostly smooth, with just a few flecks of green, about 1 minute. Chuck Blount, ExpressNews.com, 25 Jan. 2021 Mozzarella tends to slowly flow over the edges, pulling pepperoni cups or snipped basil and Calabrian chiles along with it. Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2022 Growing your own basil, parsley, or mint is also cheaper than purchasing herbs from the grocery store. Erica Sweeney, Good Housekeeping, 29 July 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English basyl, basyle, shortening (perhaps by confusion with Middle French basile "basilisk") of Middle French basilic or its source, Medieval Latin basilicon, borrowed from Greek basilikón (for presumed basilikòn phytón "royal plant"), noun derivative from neuter of basilikós "royal" — more at basilica Note: The word basilikón as a name for a plant or herb is marginally attested in ancient and early post-classical Greek, the usual word for what is presumed to be Ocimum basilicum in Greek being ṓkimon. The identity of a lákhanon basilikón ("royal herb") in the pseudo-Aristotelian De plantis (2nd century b.c.) is uncertain. The lexicon of Hesychius (5th-6th centuries a.d., incorporating much ancient material) glosses ṓkimon as "fragrant herb, called basilikón" ("botánē euṓdēs, tò legómenon basilikón"). First Known Use 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing basil bush basil sweet basil bush basil sweet basil Kids Definition basil noun ba·sil ˈba-zəl ˈbā- : a fragrant mint used in cooking Biographical Definition Basil biographical name Bas·il ˈbā-zəl ˈba-, -səl variants or Basilius bə-ˈsi-lē-əs -ˈzi- Saint circa 329–379 the Great church father; bishop of Caesarea
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basil

noun

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing basil

Kids Definition

noun

Biographical Definition

biographical name