rebaptize

verb

re·​bap·​tize (ˌ)rē-bap-ˈtīz How to pronounce rebaptize (audio)
-ˈbap-ˌtīz,
 especially Southern  -bab-ˈtīz,
 or  -ˈbab-ˌtīz
rebaptized; rebaptizing; rebaptizes

transitive verb

1
: to baptize (someone) again
Mormons believe that unless she repents and is rebaptized, she will not be able to join her husband and children in the life after death.Wallace Turner
2
: to give a new name to (something or someone) : rechristen
A street in front of Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios in Chicago was rebaptized as Oprah Winfrey Way …Tirdad Derakhshani

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rebaptize was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rebaptize

Cite this Entry

“Rebaptize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebaptize. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!