relic

noun

rel·​ic ˈre-lik 

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

• artifact
• trace
• remnant
• vestige
• ghost
• reminder
• echo
• shadow

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

What’s more, the LA jazz scene, at least as Bellerose understood it, felt like a relic, with old clubs like The Baked Potato catering more to tourists than adventurous musicians. —Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026

Investigations into the small plot of land began in February, after preliminary test digs indicated promising archaeological relics in the area. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026

One relic of Champions Leagues past is the away goals rule. —Ben Church, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026

And the notion that the tax code should be simpler and fairer has become a quaint relic of a less polarized time—like proposing that the country bring back voice votes at town halls. —Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing relic

• relic of the past

Rhymes for relic

• telic
• allelic
• angelic
• philatelic
• psychedelic

Kids Definition

relic

noun

rel·​ic ˈrel-ik 

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