christen

verb

chris·​ten ˈkri-sᵊn 

christened; christening ˈkri-sə-niŋ 

ˈkris-niŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: baptize sense 1

was christened when he was three months old

b

: to name at baptism

They christened the baby Anne.

2

: to name or dedicate (something, such as a ship) by a ceremony that often involves breaking a bottle of champagne

3

: name sense 1

The newspaper christened her as the reigning Queen of Tennis.

4

: to use for the first time

They christened the new ballpark with a win.

Synonyms of christen

• name
• call
• dub
• nominate
• designate
• label
• title
• term
• denominate
• entitle
• baptize

Examples of christen in a Sentence

He was christened when he was three months old.

They christened the baby Anna.

The politician was chosen to christen a new ship.

The newspaper has christened her as the reigning Queen of Tennis.

They christened the new ball park with a win.

Recent Examples on the Web

These days, netizens are happy to objectify men and christen a new internet boyfriend every week. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026

Later that evening, the executive also christened a new multistory Giorgio Armani boutique at SKP Wuhan, showing off a red lacquer liquor cabinet decorated with fan motifs. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

On December 21, 1984, Harry was christened at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 15 Oct. 2026

Butler, Embiid and Simmons were christened a Big Three — one of many attempted by the Sixers over the last 15 years — and the team was instantly considered a serious threat to win it all. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cristnen, from Old English cristnian, from cristen Christian, from Latin christianus

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for christen

• bisson
• frisson
• glisten
• listen
• nissen
• hemolysin
• rifampicin

Kids Definition

christen

verb

chris·​ten ˈkris-ᵊn 

christened; christening ˈkris-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: baptize sense 1

2

a

: to name at baptism

christened the baby Robin

b

: to name or dedicate in a ceremony like that of baptism

christen a ship