baptize

American  

[bap-tahyz, bap-tahyz] / bæpˈtaɪz, ˈbæp taɪz /

especially British, baptise

verb (used with object)

baptized, baptizing

1. to immerse in water or sprinkle or pour water on in the Christian rite of baptism.

   They baptized the new baby.

2. to cleanse spiritually; initiate or dedicate by purifying.

3. to give a name to at baptism; christen.

---

verb (used without object)

baptized, baptizing

1. to administer baptism.

baptize British  

/ bæpˈtaɪz /

verb

1. Christianity to immerse (a person) in water or sprinkle water on (a person) as part of the rite of baptism

2. (tr) to give a name to; christen

3. (tr) to cleanse; purify

---

Other Word Forms

• baptizable adjective
• baptizement noun
• baptizer noun
• rebaptize verb
• self-baptizer noun
• unbaptized adjective

Etymology

Origin of baptize

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Late Latin baptizāre, from Greek baptízein “to immerse,” from bápt(ein) “to dip” + -izein -ize

Example Sentences

Miraculous moments in the story, such as water welling from a rock where Patrick later baptizes people, play out in a quiet tone.

From The Wall Street Journal

Catholicism is the faith I was baptized in, the one I embraced as a teen and that’s the bedrock for my moral code of comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.

From Los Angeles Times

He has long denied being a Satan worshipper, as some critics insisted, and he once told an interviewer he was a baptized Christian.

From The Wall Street Journal

“As a missionary, we didn’t have to receive special permission from somebody in order to baptize an undocumented individual,” she recalled.

From Los Angeles Times

To this day, at the start of every new season in Statesboro, any new players or coaches are “baptized” in its magical waters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• immerse