christen

verb

chris·ten | \ ˈkri-sᵊn

christened; christening\ ˈkris-niŋ

, ˈkri-sə-niŋ \

Definition of christen

transitive verb

1a : 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.

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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

Traditionally, a royal baby is christened two to three months after he or she is born. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "When Will Baby Sussex Be Christened?," 10 May 2019 When a royal baby is christened, as Prince Louis was early this summer, he or she is typically given a small army of godparents. — Maggie Maloney, Town & Country, "Everything to Know About Queen Elizabeth's 30 Godchildren," 9 Sep. 2018 The enormous boat in the middle of the runway was christened La Pausa after Coco Chanel’s villa in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, and decorated with a string of lights on its main deck. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Chanel’s Resort Set Might Be Its Most Dramatic Yet," 3 May 2018 When it was launched on Oct. 5, 1868, the vessel was christened Cashmere by the Liverpool Shipping Company. — John Christopher Fine, sun-sentinel.com, "Boynton Beach’s maritime past lives on with Lofthus shipwreck," 21 June 2019 Getty Images Today, Prince Louis is getting christened at St. James' Palace in London by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "Prince Louis' Godparents May Surprise You," 9 July 2018 Waiting for a long-term solution, Baron resolved to treat the goose, christened Carlotta by a neighbor, like a friend. — Mary Schmich, chicagotribune.com, "A goose lays eggs on a Chicago woman's roof. What's she supposed to do?," 15 May 2018 This was the case with the last Fab Four royal birth: Prince Louis, who was born in April and then christened in early July in a quiet, lovely ceremony. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "When Will Baby Sussex Be Christened?," 10 May 2019 Doyle, meanwhile, also raised Catholic in Burke, Virginia, wears a pendant bearing the visage of the Virgin Mary, for whom Wambach, whose full name is Mary Abigail, was christened. — Jocelyn Silver, WSJ, "At a Critical Time for U.S. Soccer, Abby Wambach Is on a Mission," 15 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'christen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

13 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for christen

The first known use of christen was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for christen

christen

verb

English Language Learners Definition of christen

: to baptize (someone)

: to name (someone) at baptism

: to officially give (something, such as a ship) a name in a ceremony that often involves breaking a bottle of champagne

See the full definition for christen in the English Language Learners Dictionary

christen

verb

chris·ten | \ ˈkri-sᵊn

christened; christening

Kids Definition of christen

1 : baptize sense 1

2 : to name at baptism The parents christened the baby Robin.

3 : name entry 2 sense 1 … it would be a long time before they forgot the giant, three-headed dog he'd christened “Fluffy.”— J. K. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets

4 : to name or dedicate (as a ship) in a ceremony