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

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

Etymology

Origin of baptism

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

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

This was always going to be a big test of Celtic's recent progress and for the new man in charge in a baptism week full of big tests.

From BBC

For any new manager coming in, it's a colossal baptism of fire to try and navigate your way through.

From BBC

Reddin's first major job was to appoint Tandy and it has been a baptism of fire in the first campaign for the new head coach.

From BBC

It was baptism Sunday with 16 receiving the sign.

From The Wall Street Journal