baptism

American  

[bap-tiz-uhm] / ˈbæp tɪz əm /

noun

1. Ecclesiastical. a ceremonial immersion in water, or application of water, as an initiatory rite or sacrament of the Christian church.

2. any similar ceremony or action of initiation, dedication, etc.

   Synonyms:

   introduction, admittance, induction

3. a trying or purifying experience or initiation.

4. Christian Science. purification of thought and character.

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baptism British  

/ ˈbæpˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. a Christian religious rite consisting of immersion in or sprinkling with water as a sign that the subject is cleansed from sin and constituted as a member of the Church

2. the act of baptizing or of undergoing baptism

3. any similar experience of initiation, regeneration, or dedication

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baptism Cultural  

1. The ceremony of initiation into Christianity; in most Christian churches, it is considered a sacrament. Persons baptized either have water poured on them or are immersed in water; some groups of Christians (see also Christian) insist on immersion. The effect of baptism, in Christian belief, is to cleanse persons of their sins, so that they are born into a new life with Jesus. Most churches baptize members when they are infants, but some groups, like the Baptists, insist on adult baptism. Jesus himself was baptized. (See John the Baptist.)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• baptismal
  adjective
• rebaptism
  noun
• postbaptismal
  adjective
• pseudobaptismal
  adjective
• baptismally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of baptism

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Late Latin baptisma, from Greek bapt(ízein) “to immerse” ( see baptize) + -isma -ism; replacing Middle English bapteme, from Old French, from Late Latin, as above

Explanation

In the Christian church, baptism is a rite that symbolizes spiritual purification and rebirth. If you’ve had a baptism, it probably involved being dipped in water or having water sprinkled on you, lots of proud relatives, and hopefully cake afterwards. The word baptism can be traced to the Greek word baptismos, meaning “ceremonial washing.” This cleansing rite typically takes place when you’re a child and is often seen as an initiation into the church. Baptism can be used more broadly to describe other kinds of initiations as well. If you go through a difficult experience on your first day on the job, you could say that was your baptism as a customer service rep.

Example Sentences

BAPTISM, in some of its various forms, is a very ancient rite, and was extensively practiced in several oriental countries.

From The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors Or, Christianity Before Christ by Graves, Kersey

ON BAPTISM: a Tract for Parochial Distribution. 2d.; or 12s. per 100.

From Australia, its history and present condition containing an account both of the bush and of the colonies, with their respective inhabitants by Pridden, W. (William)