baptism

[bap-tiz-uhm]

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.

baptism

/ 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

baptism

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.)

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of baptism¹

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

Example Sentences

It was baptism Sunday with 16 receiving the sign.

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In the first of three immersive rooms, a dizzying 360-degree video introduces guests to the story of Jesus’ life from his baptism to the crucifixion — including that jumbo last supper.

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He was still relatively raw when he travelled to Russia to face Kovalev, a baptism of fire that became the defining early chapter of his career.

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Her introduction to the stage was baptism by fire.

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Gunmen on motorbikes have shot dead 22 people, most of them attending a baptism ceremony, in an attack on a village in western Niger, reports say.

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