baptize

verb

bap·tize | \ bap-ˈtīz

, ˈbap-ˌtīz, especially Southern bab-ˈtīz or ˈbab-ˌtīz\

variants: or less commonly baptise

baptized also baptised; baptizing also baptising

Definition of baptize

1 religion : to administer baptism (see baptism sense 1) to baptize a child in the Episcopal Church was baptized a Catholic as an infant

2a : to purify or cleanse spiritually especially by a purging (see purge entry 1 sense 1) experience or ordeal … baptized with pain and rapture, tears and fire …— Sidney Lanier

b : initiate Both developments were baptized under last season's conditions of scanty snow … — New York Times

3 : to give a name to (as at baptism) : christen Theybaptized their son "John" after the baby's grandfather.

intransitive verb

: to administer baptism

Other Words from baptize Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about baptize

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Examples of baptize in a Sentence

The priest baptized the baby. She was baptized at the age of 20.

Recent Examples on the Web

My family is part of the many Filipino households that see Catholicism as a given, not a choice, and I was baptized as a baby like most Catholics. — Jasmine Arielle Ting, Teen Vogue, ""Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" Shows That There's Power in Questioning Your Religion," 5 Apr. 2019 Kate Middleton was confirmed and Meghan Markle was baptized and confirmed ahead of their wedding days. — Marcia Moody, Town & Country, "How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding Stuck to Royal Tradition," 19 May 2018 She was baptized and confirmed into the Church of England. — Karla Adam, Washington Post, "After the royal wedding, will Meghan Markle have to rein in her activism?," 18 May 2018 People who have prepared to become part of the church are baptized and partake in communion for the first time. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, "What Is Holy Saturday, the Day Before Easter, and Why Do We Celebrate It?," 1 Mar. 2019 But playtime ended inside the chapel when Leonore's little sister was baptized in front of her royal family. — Morgan M. Evans, Fox News, "Young Princess Leonore gets attention at her sister's christening for going barefoot," 13 June 2018 At one point Travis, who appears in certain parts of the video in a very Jesus-like look, seems to be baptizing his fans and flying through the air. — Dan Barna, Allure, "Kylie Jenner Transforms Into the Virgin Mary for Travis Scott's "Stop Trying to Be God" Video," 7 Aug. 2018 At one point Travis, who appears in certain parts of the video in a very Jesus-like look, seems to be baptizing his fans and flying through the air. — Dan Barna, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner Stars as the Virgin Mary in Travis Scott's "Stop Trying to Be God" Music Video," 7 Aug. 2018 For them, decisions that were once a given—like whether to attend mass, send their kids to Catholic school or even have their children baptized—have suddenly become agonizing. — Ian Lovett, WSJ, "Many Catholics Struggle to Keep the Faith," 6 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'baptize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.