basil

noun

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

Examples of basil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Grace is in full-on shark mode, taking Kate with her to the greenhouse to fetch some basil for the negronis Todd is whipping up (basil is not actually a garnish for a negroni, but nobody is going to say that to Grace). — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026 The Skull Caprese has barely any ingredients (cheese, tomatoes, Balsamic, olive oil, salt, pepper and basil). — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026 Serve with rice, lime wedges, whole red chiles, basil leaves, mint leaves, cilantro leaves, lettuce, the tamarind sauce, and the garlic-ginger sauce. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 Desserts are the real stars of the show, with include limoncello sorbet with Italian meringue, mango and basil panna cotta and tiramisu all featuring. — Siobhan Grogan, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for basil

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of basil was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing basil

Rhymes for basil

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Basil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basil. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

basil

noun
bas·​il
ˈbaz-əl, 
ˈbāz-, 
ˈbas-, 
ˈbās-
: any of several plants of the mint family
especially : sweet basil

Biographical Definition

Basil

biographical name

Bas·​il ˈbā-zəl How to pronounce Basil (audio) ˈba- How to pronounce Basil (audio)
-səl
variants or Basilius
bə-ˈsi-lē-əs How to pronounce Basil (audio)
-ˈzi-
Saint circa 329–379 the Great church father; bishop of Caesarea

More from Merriam-Webster on basil

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about basil

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