baptize

play

verb bap·tize \bap-ˈtīz, ˈbap-ˌ, especially Southern bab- or ˈbab-\

variants: or less commonly

baptise

Definition of baptize

baptized

also

baptised

;

baptizing

also

baptising

transitive verb
1 religion : to administer baptism (see baptism 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 ¹purge 1) experience or ordeal … baptized with pain and rapture, tears and fire … — Sidney Lanierb : 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

baptizer

noun

See baptize defined for English-language learners

See baptize defined for kids

Examples of baptize in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of baptize from the Web

The last time someone was convicted of blasphemy in Denmark was 71 years ago when a man dressed up as a priest and mock-baptized a doll at a masquerade.

— jan m. olsen, The Seattle Times, "Danes again ponder repeal of blasphemy law", 1 June 2017
Brannon then baptized Noriega in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

— derek hawkins, Washington Post, "For two evangelical Christians, Manuel Noriega became the ultimate jailhouse convert", 30 May 2017
In another, a priest baptizes a child in Pale, a Serbian stronghold during that same brutal siege.

— laura mallonee, WIRED, "Haunting Photos of Life 20 Years After the Bosnian War", 20 May 2016

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.

Origin and Etymology of baptize

Middle English, from Anglo-French baptiser, from Late Latin baptizare, from Greek baptizein to dip, baptize, from baptein to dip, dye; akin to Old Norse kvefja to quench

NEW!

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

BAPTIZE Defined for English Language Learners

baptize

play

verb

Definition of baptize for English Language Learners

: to perform the ceremony of baptism for (someone)
: to officially make someone a member of a specified Christian church through the ceremony of baptism
: to give (someone) a name through the ceremony of baptism

BAPTIZE Defined for Kids

baptize

play

verb bap·tize \bap-ˈtīz, ˈbap-ˌtīz\

Definition of baptize for Students

baptized

;

baptizing

1 : to dip in water or sprinkle water on as a part of the ceremony of receiving into the Christian church
2 : to give a name to as in the ceremony of baptism : christen