/ˈrel·ɪk/ an object from the past, esp. one that has no modern use but is often valued for its meaning or importance in history: The ship was a relic of the Spanish-American War. A relic is also a part of the body or clothing of a saint (= holy person), or something that belonged to a saint.

A relic is a fragment from the past — one of Elvis's guitars, an ancient piece of pottery or even an outmoded way of thinking -– that remains behind. Your dad might love his old albums, but to you, they're just relics.

relic, in religion, strictly, the mortal remains of a saint; in the broad sense, the term also includes any object that has been in contact with the saint.

a surviving memorial of something past. an object having interest by reason of its age or its association with the past: a museum of historic relics. a surviving trace of something: a custom that is a relic of paganism.