Baptist

[ bap-tist ]

/ ˈbæp tɪst /

Save This Word!

noun

a member of a Christian denomination that baptizes believers by immersion and that is usually Calvinistic in doctrine.

(lowercase) a person who baptizes.

the Bap·tist. John the Baptist.

adjective

Also Bap·tis·tic [bap-tis-tik]. /ˌbæpˈtɪs tɪk/. of or relating to Baptists or their doctrines or practices.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Baptist

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English baptiste, from Old French, from Late Latin baptista, from Greek baptistḗs, equivalent to bapt(ízein) “to baptize ” + -istēs -ist

OTHER WORDS FROM Baptist

an·ti-Bap·tist, adjective, nounnon-Bap·tist, adjective, nounpro-Bap·tist, adjective, nounpseu·do-Bap·tist, adjective, noun

Words nearby Baptist

baptism, baptismal name, baptismal regeneration, baptism for the dead, baptism of fire, Baptist, Baptista, baptistry, Baptists, baptize, bar

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Baptist in a sentence

As a child in the hot brick Baptist churches of Texas, I was told that there were women who threw babies in the trash.
Why Must Women Wait for the Supreme Court to Decide What We Can Do With Our Bodies?|Lyz Lenz|June 24, 2021|Time
Though Acebo’s Baptist faith eschews cremation, it was the only choice she could make — a casket burial was beyond her means, she said.
When Births Go Horribly Wrong, Florida Protects Doctors and Forces Families to Pay the Price|by Carol Marbin Miller and Daniel Chang, Miami Herald|April 8, 2021|ProPublica
Ryland, a Baptist minister, was the founding president of what was then known as Richmond College, from 1840 to 1866.
Uproar erupts at U. of Richmond over building names with ties to racism|Nick Anderson|March 26, 2021|Washington Post
In Jamaica in 1831, a Baptist preacher named Samuel Sharpe organized a nonviolent protest against slavery.
So You Think You’re a Foodie?|Daniel Malloy|March 5, 2021|Ozy

At least, 10,000 Baptist organizations received PPP loans, for a total of $735 million.
Last-minute regulation would make religious businesses eligible for taxpayer-backed SBA loans|Aaron Gregg|January 20, 2021|Washington Post
Scott, who died Sunday at 49, could go from evoking a Baptist preacher to quoting Public Enemy.
Remembering ESPN’s Sly, Cocky, and Cool Anchor Stuart Scott|Stereo Williams|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
King says in a sermon a month later at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma, Alabama.
Tavis Smiley Humanely Chronicles MLK’s Sad Last Year|Scott Porch|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This was the young, telegenic, and popular Robby Gallaty of Brainerd Baptist (mega-)Church in Tennessee.
The Hateful Pastor All Too Happy to Be Left Behind When It Comes to Gays|Jay Michaelson|September 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Latta, home to the historic Catfish Creek Baptist Church, is a predominantly white town of 1,500 in Dillon County.
South Carolina Town Loves Its Lesbian Police Chief|Olivia Nuzzi|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is a challenging time for the Southern Baptist Convention.
Southern Baptists Take Baby Steps Away from the Culture Wars|Ruth Graham|June 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The proceedings of the day commenced with divine service, performed by Unitarian and Baptist ministers.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
He soon after became a baptist, and preached that doctrine a number of years, and was extremely popular.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Scattergood's attitude on the matter was widely different, depending on whether he talked with Baptist or Congregationalist.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
When the speaker entered the jail he found among the inmates three Baptist preachers.
Portrait and Biography of Parson Brownlow, The Tennessee Patriot|William Gannaway Brownlow
He was brought up a Baptist, but in his sixteenth year joined the Church of England.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Baptist

Baptist

/ (ˈbæptɪst) /

noun

a member of any of various Christian sects that affirm the necessity of baptism (usually of adults and by immersion) following a personal profession of the Christian faith

the Baptist See John the Baptist

adjective

denoting, relating to, or characteristic of any Christian sect that affirms the necessity of baptism following a personal profession of the Christian faith

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012