christened; christening
ˈkri-sə-niŋ 
ˈkris-niŋ
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.
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
The zoo christened the beasts Gaston and Kathrin in the Glocks’ honor.
—
Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Opening week as Messi and Inter Miami christen new stadium, men’s NCAA Tournament to Final Four and women in Elite Eight, budget-ball Marlins seek opening sweep, Miami Open championship weekend, Heat, Panthers, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady and more.
—Greg Cote
updated March 29, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Sun-chasers need not look far to christen their own spot on the shore, while divers plumb the depths to investigate a multitude of undersea wonders in this world-class diving destination.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
The ship began construction in December 2020 at the NNS shipyard in Virginia and was christened — with the traditional champagne bottle smash — there on May 6, 2023.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for christen
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Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Opening week as Messi and Inter Miami christen new stadium, men’s NCAA Tournament to Final Four and women in Elite Eight, budget-ball Marlins seek opening sweep, Miami Open championship weekend, Heat, Panthers, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady and more.
—Greg Cote
updated March 29, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Sun-chasers need not look far to christen their own spot on the shore, while divers plumb the depths to investigate a multitude of undersea wonders in this world-class diving destination.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
The ship began construction in December 2020 at the NNS shipyard in Virginia and was christened — with the traditional champagne bottle smash — there on May 6, 2023.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for christen
Cite this Entry
“Christen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/christen. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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