plural baptisms
: a Christian ceremony in which a small amount of water is placed on a person's head or in which a person's body is briefly placed under water
Note: A baptism officially makes someone a member of the Christian Church.
There were over 100 baptisms at our church last year.
He received the sacrament of baptism as an infant.
—often used figurativelyThe interview was a baptism into journalism for the young writer. [=it was the young writer's first experience as a journalist]
Note: A baptism of fire or (chiefly US) baptism by fire is a first experience that is very difficult or painful, such as the first time that soldiers are in a battle.
Cite this Entry
“Baptism.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/baptism. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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