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

Appeals to scripture become a way to baptize our bigotries and consecrate our callousness. — Jonathan L. Walton, Time, "Why Authoritarians Love to Quote This Bible Passage," 22 June 2018 And in March, she was baptized into the Church of England by Welby. -- (c) 2018, The Washington Post. — The Washington Post, NOLA.com, "Meet the American who will preach at the royal wedding," 16 May 2018 Little Princess Victoria was baptized in 1841 in Buckingham Palace, on her parents' first wedding anniversary. — Elizabeth Angell, Town & Country, "Prince Louis's Christening Dress Has a Fascinating History," 9 July 2018 While Louis’s older sister Princess Charlotte was baptized at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, Prince George’s christening was at the Chapel Royal in 2013. — Rachel E. Greenspan, Time, "Prince Louis' Christening Venue Has a Poignant Tie to Princess Diana. Here's What to Know About the Chapel Royal," 9 July 2018 Growing up directly opposite each other, they were baptized in the village church and married a few miles down the road before emigrating to the United States. — Katrin Bennhold, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump’s ancestral village abounds with his relatives. Few will admit it," 3 July 2018 Growing up directly opposite each other, they were baptized in the village church and married a few miles down the road before immigrating to the United States. — Katrin Bennhold, New York Times, "Trump’s Ancestral Village Abounds With His Relatives. Few Admit a Link.," 2 July 2018 Five monarchs have been baptized in the gown, beginning with Victoria and Albert's first son, the future Edward VII. — Elizabeth Angell, Town & Country, "Prince Louis's Christening Dress Has a Fascinating History," 9 July 2018 Born on Christmas Day in 1923 in Avignon, France, Girard had been baptized Catholic. — Frank Wilson, Philly.com, "'Evolution of Desire': René Girard, a man in full," 6 July 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.