baptize

verb

bap·​tize ˈbap-ˌtīz 

bap-ˈtīz

especially Southern bab-ˈtīz

or ˈbab-ˌtīz

variants or less commonly baptise

baptized also baptised; baptizing also baptising

transitive verb

1

religion : to administer baptism (see baptism sense 1) to

baptize a child in the Episcopal Church

was baptized a Catholic as an infant

2

a

: 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

They baptized their son "John" after the baby's grandfather.

intransitive verb

: to administer baptism

baptizer noun

Synonyms of baptize

• name
• call
• nominate
• dub
• designate
• christen
• denominate
• label
• title
• nickname

Examples of baptize in a Sentence

The priest baptized the baby.

She was baptized at the age of 20.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Catholic churches in the Netherlands opposed the policy, and in response, the Nazi commissioner of the Netherlands declared that all Jews who had been baptized as Catholic be deported. —Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026

William wore the antique christening robe commissioned by Queen Victoria and was baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026

Newcomers to the faith are being baptized. —Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026

Other royals who were baptized in the original gown include Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. —Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for baptize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise
• coastwise

Kids Definition

baptize

verb

bap·​tize bap-ˈtīz 

ˈbap-ˌtīz

baptized; baptizing

1

: to dip in water or sprinkle water on as a part of the ceremony of receiving into the Christian church

2

a

: to make pure in spirit (as by a painful experience)

b

: initiate entry 1 sense 3

3

: to give a name to (as in the ceremony of baptism) : christen

baptizer noun