A basilica is a church which is rectangular in shape and has a rounded end.
basilica in British English
(bəˈzɪlɪkə)
noun
1.
a Roman building, used for public administration, having a large rectangular central nave with an aisle on each side and an apse at the end
2.
a rectangular early Christian or medieval church, usually having a nave with clerestories, two or four aisles, one or more vaulted apses, and a timber roof
3.
a Roman Catholic church having special ceremonial rights
Derived forms
basilican (baˈsilican) or basilic (baˈsilic)
adjective
Word origin
C16: from Latin, from Greek basilikē hall, from basilikē oikia the king's house, from basileus king; see basil
basilica in American English
(bəˈsɪlɪkə; also, bəˈzɪlɪkə)
nounWord forms: pluralbaˈsilicas
1. Obsolete
a royal palace
2.
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.
3.
a Christian church built in this style
4. Roman CatholicChurch
a church granted certain ceremonial rights
Derived forms
basilican (baˈsilican) (bəˈsɪlɪkən; bəˈzɪlɪkən)
adjective
Word origin
L < Gr basilikē (stoa), royal (portico) < basilikos: see basil
In other languages
basilica
British English: basilica NOUN
A basilica is a church which is rectangular in shape and has a rounded end.