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

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, will be baptized on Saturday, July 6. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Why Kate Middleton and Prince William Are Likely Not Archie's Godparents," 6 July 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will baptize their son Archie Harrison on Saturday July 6 at Windsor Castle. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Why the Queen Will Not Attend Archie Harrison's Christening This Weekend," 5 July 2019 They were baptized again, this time in the Catholic Church. — Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, "For generations, Illinois’ child welfare agency has failed to adequately serve Spanish-speaking families with children in its care.," 20 June 2019 Sweden’s newest royal, Adrienne Josephine Alice, Princess of Sweden and Duchess of Blekinge, was baptized in royal splendor at the Royal Chapel in the Drottningholm Palace, Stockholm, on Friday. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE.com, "Royal Baby Christening! See All the Best Photos from Princess Adrienne of Sweden's Big Day," 8 June 2018 Markle was baptized on March 6 in the Chapel Royal at St. James Palace, according to a Daily Mail report. — Madeline Farber, Fox News, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal wedding: Everything you need to know," 8 Mar. 2018 Ken was baptized on December 24, 1947 at St Luke's Lutheran Church in Freeland, Pennsylvania. — courant.com, "Kenneth Edward Sokolowski," 4 Feb. 2018 On Sunday, the royal family released Prince Louis' official christening photos, featuring Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and their extended family right after the tiniest Windsor was baptized. — Emily Wang, Glamour, "Did You Catch This Cute Princess Charlotte Moment in Prince Louis' Christening Photo?," 16 July 2018 That's when they literally get baptized by fire...like seriously. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Who are Dagwood and Juniper on "Riverdale"?," 25 Apr. 2019

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.