baptize
Americanverb (used with object)
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to immerse in water or sprinkle or pour water on in the Christian rite of baptism.
They baptized the new baby.
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to cleanse spiritually; initiate or dedicate by purifying.
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to give a name to at baptism; christen.
verb (used without object)
verb
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Christianity to immerse (a person) in water or sprinkle water on (a person) as part of the rite of baptism
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(tr) to give a name to; christen
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(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
Explanation
To baptize is the ritual of bringing someone into the religion of Christianity. It’s usually when little babies get their heads sprinkled with water in a church. The word baptize comes from Greek baptizein which means, "to dip in water." That’s what happens when you get baptized — you get sprinkled with or dunked in water by someone official from a church. Christian parents often choose to baptize their babies, but adults can get baptized, too.
Vocabulary lists containing baptize
World Religions
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Brown Girl Dreaming
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Selection Vocabulary 4, Unit 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He then excused himself to help baptize a woman near the stage.
From New York Times • Feb. 3, 2024
Both at Casa del Migrante and Agape, some migrants ask Murphy and Rivera to baptize them.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2023
The audience murmured and clapped as he recounted a well-worn story about using water from Israel’s Sea of Galilee to baptize his children.
From Washington Post • Apr. 26, 2023
A Spanish friar records three earthquakes on the day he and his fellow missionaries baptize the Río Porciúncula.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2023
“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost I baptize you, my son. Walk forward into the light.”
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
