basilicanoun [ C ]
uk/bəˈsɪl.ɪ.kə//bəˈzɪl.ɪ.kə/us/bəˈsɪl.ɪ.kə//bəˈzɪl.ɪ.kə/a public building in ancient Rome that was round at one end and had two rows of columns supporting the roof, or a large church with a similar design
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Public buildings
- art gallery
- bath
- bathhouse
- centre
- chancellery
- city hall
- gallery
- guildhall
- hall
- Hall of Fame
- leisure centre
- office building
- pavilion
- public library
- reference library
- register office
- registry
- teardown
- telephone exchange
- town hall
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Examples from literature
- A basilica was built in a prominent place in the northwest corner of the forum.
- Cardinals were compelled to preach in their basilicas.
- The basilica was designed in the shape of a Greek cross, surmounted by a colossal dome, and approached by a vestibule fronted with six columns.
- The entrance of the Pope into this his grandest basilica was, as usual, a beautiful and brilliant sight.
- We no longer see, as in the eighteenth century, Gothic spires on Roman basilicas, or Grecian porticos ornamenting Norman towers.