baptism

American  

[bap-tiz-uhm] / ˈbæp tɪz əm /

noun

baptisms plural

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

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• baptisms
  plural

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

See Examples For:

baptism baptisms

After a section about his own adult baptism, the pinnacle of his faith journey, Vance launches, jarringly, into a chapter about his views of the international order.

From Slate ● Jun. 18, 2026

On the religious question, Mr. Putin has, for example, made it a custom to participate in Kreshchenskiye Kupaniya, or epiphany bathing, every Jan. 19, commemorating Christ’s baptism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

Former midfielder Carrick was installed as boss until the end of the season this week and faces a baptism of fire when Manchester City visit on Saturday.

From Barron's ● Jan. 16, 2026

In another part of town, a store owner who sells quinceañera and baptism dresses said her sales have dropped by 60% every month since August, and clients have postponed shopping.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 24, 2025

My mother came from the Transkei to help Winnie, and planned to give Zenani a Xhosa baptism by calling in an inyanga, a tribal healer, to give the baby a traditional herbal bath.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

In tracking our friendship over decades, we can also mark our way by the sacraments: marriages, baptisms, First Communions, etc.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

According to Vatican statistics, around half of global Catholic baptisms take place in Africa.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 12, 2026

He loved the story of Beautiful Eagle Creek and its baptisms.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2025

Thirty-four parishes in Baltimore report more funerals than baptisms and conversions combined.

From Seattle Times ● May 23, 2024

The warmth of the thirty or so people inside, the familiar aroma of spices and good cooking, and the hushed play of children was extraordinarily comforting, the way wakes were, or weddings or baptisms.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago