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

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of baptize in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Meghan and Harry joined Prince William and Kate Middleton for the ceremony at the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace in London, which is also where Meghan was baptized earlier this year. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE.com, "Aunt Meghan's Big Debut! Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Step Out for Prince Louis' Christening," 9 July 2018 Interestingly, Princess Charlotte's christening venue also happens to be where Princess Diana was baptized. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Comparing Prince Louis' Christening with Prince George's and Princess Charlotte's," 9 July 2018 According to Fox 5, Briese then kicked the family out of the place of worship, telling them to remove the body of the woman who wished to be laid to rest in the church where she was baptized. — Michael Harriot, The Root, "#MourningWhileBlack: Priest Calls Cops on Black Funeral-Goers, Tells Them to 'Get the Hell Out' of Church," 2 July 2018 This time, the ceremony is taking place inside a cozier space at St. George’s Chapel where Harry was baptized in 1984. — Susanne Fowler, chicagotribune.com, "The royal wedding is drawing Yankees, too: Chicagoans are flocking to England for fairy tales and souvenirs," 18 May 2018 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

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.