relic

noun

rel·​ic ˈre-lik How to pronounce relic (audio)
Synonyms of relic
1
a
: an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr
b
: souvenir, memento
2
relics plural : remains, corpse
3
: a survivor or remnant left after decay, disintegration, or disappearance
4
: a trace of some past or outmoded practice, custom, or belief

Synonyms of relic

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Examples of relic in a Sentence

a crude stone ax and other relics of the Neanderthals in my grandparents' attic are many “groovy” relics from the 1960s
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.
Among the relics of its decline is a hulking complex of rusted pipes, towers and conveyor belts in Delano, just five miles north of the McFarland chipping yard. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 The landscape flowed in ridges and mountains of faded yellow and whisper pink, where welwitschia–large, low-lying plants that live to be hundreds of years old–sprawled like relics from a Dune film set. — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026 Among those cosmic relics are raw organic building blocks, the kind that may have seeded life on Earth. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Plunge into this immersive epic, uncovering what chilling relics risk escaping the thawing ice. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relic

Word History

Etymology

Middle English relik, from Anglo-French relike, from Medieval Latin reliquia, from Late Latin reliquiae, plural, remains of a martyr, from Latin, remains, from relinquere to leave behind — more at relinquish

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of relic was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing relic

Rhymes for relic

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Browse Nearby Words

reliant
relic
relic area
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Cite this Entry

“Relic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relic. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

relic

noun
rel·​ic ˈrel-ik How to pronounce relic (audio)
1
: an object treated with great respect because of its connection with a saint or martyr
2
: something left behind after decay or disappearance
relics of ancient cities

More from Merriam-Webster on relic

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about relic

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