basil

noun

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 Garnish with lemon zest and additional thyme, oregano or basil leaves (when in season). Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Add a fresh sprig of basil for every 2 servings, then add half a glass of water and cook for at least 30 minutes. Mark Holgate, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2024 Ingredients 1 bottle of rosé (look for a style with berry notes rather than dry) 2.5 oz Grand Marnier 0.75 oz simple syrup 1 can of sparkling water 2 cups strawberries 1 orange 1 bunch of basil leaves Method: Add the bottle of rosé, Grand Marnier and simple syrup to a large pitcher filled with ice. Jillian Dara, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Get The Recipe 37 of 39 Strawberry Caprese Salad Fresh basil, strawberries, fresh mozzarella, and white balsamic create a spring version of caprese salad. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2024 Related Articles Fox says to wait until the summer to grow basil. Alex Groves, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2024 Great for feeding a crowd, this divinely smelling dish is topped with basil and halved grape tomatoes. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2024 Pine seed lobster wrapped in lettuce; pancakes with pork, peanuts and cilantro; leek and conch stir fry; chicken with basil. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024 Add the remaining half of the zucchini mixture to the blender with the avocado and the basil; puree until smooth, then add it to the first batch of pureed mixture. Ellie Krieger, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'basil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near basil

Cite this Entry

“Basil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basil. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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-,
-səl
variants or Basilius
Saint circa 329–379 the Great church father; bishop of Caesarea

More from Merriam-Webster on basil

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