Real Dictionary

basil
uncountable noun: Basil is a strong-smelling and strong-tasting herb that is used in cooking, especially with tomatoes.

basil in American English
any of a genus (Ocimum) of fragrant plants of the mint family, esp. a white-flowered garden herb ( O. basilicum) whose leaves are used for flavoring in cooking
noun: a male given name: from a Greek word meaning “ royal”
noun: any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Ocimum, of the mint family, as O. basilicum ( sweet basil), having purplish-green ovate leaves used in cooking

Basil in American English 1
a masculine name

Basil in American English 2
Saint( a. d. 330?-379); Gr. prelate, born in Cappadocia: bishop of Caesarea: his day is Jan. 2: called the Great

basil in British English
noun: a Eurasian plant, Ocimum basilicum, having spikes of small white flowers and aromatic leaves used as herbs for seasoning: family Lamiaceae (labiates)
noun: Saint, called the Great. ?329–379 ad, Greek patriarch: an opponent of Arianism and one of the founders of monasticism. Feast day: Jan 2, June 14, or Jan 1