baptize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
baptizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
baptized,
past participle, past
-
baptizing
present participle
-
to immerse in water or sprinkle or pour water on in the Christian rite of baptism.
They baptized the new baby.
-
to cleanse spiritually; initiate or dedicate by purifying.
-
to give a name to at baptism; christen.
verb (used without object)
-
baptizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
baptized,
past participle, past
-
baptizing
present participle
verb
-
Christianity to immerse (a person) in water or sprinkle water on (a person) as part of the rite of baptism
-
(tr) to give a name to; christen
-
(tr) to cleanse; purify
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
baptizementnoun
-
baptizernoun
-
self-baptizernoun
-
rebaptizeverb
-
baptizableadjective
-
unbaptizedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
baptizesimple
-
baptizessimple
-
have baptizedperfect
-
has baptizedperfect
-
am baptizingprogressive
-
are baptizingprogressive
-
is baptizingprogressive
-
have been baptizingperfect progressive
-
has been baptizingperfect progressive
Past
-
baptizedsimple
-
had baptizedperfect
-
was baptizingprogressive
-
were baptizingprogressive
-
had been baptizingperfect progressive
Future
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Brown Girl Dreaming
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Selection Vocabulary 4, Unit 2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
“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 ● Oct. 9, 2025
He then excused himself to help baptize a woman near the stage.
From New York Times ● Feb. 3, 2024
The basilica Mass during the vigil of Christianity’s most important day has become an occasion for pontiffs to baptize several adults from around the world.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 8, 2023
“I now baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” he intoned with a subtle southern twang.
From Slate ● Jul. 12, 2022
I would like to baptize myself under a new name, a name more like the real me, the one nobody sees.
From "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros
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 ● Nov. 28, 2025
But in an explanatory note accompanying its decision, it recalled that when a priest baptizes someone, it is actually Christ performing the sacrament, not the community.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 16, 2022
The blistering sun baptizes during the day; the infinite dust dries you out in the afternoon; the wind bites at night.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2021
Arkansas baptizes Texas in the cool, refreshing waters of SEC dominance.
From Fox News ● Sep. 12, 2021
With financial help from her boyfriend, she baptizes seven-year-old Diana.
From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario
Church attendance is low, with only 2% of baptized Catholics regularly attending Sunday Mass.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026
The pope on Saturday appealed to the converts and newly baptized in his homily:
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026
That same sea that baptized me is, for thousands of others, a grave.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
A month after losing his mother, Mpoyi was baptized at chapel held in the school gym.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2026
“Dead, buried, resurrected with Christ,” Reverend said as he baptized me.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
What Mr. Porter said he did remember was wading into the church’s pool and baptizing himself — or, as he claims, having his head held down in the font by “something.”
From Washington Times ● Aug. 8, 2023
We like to merge worlds to create really absurd situations, so she was like, ‘What if it’s the NBA slam dunk contest, but with deacons baptizing babies at church?’
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2023
When asked what he would say if he were baptizing someone as a newly devout Bitcoiner, maybe in the warm waters of South Beach, Melder ad-libbed.
From Slate ● Jul. 12, 2022
Behind the tub, a mural of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus stretches across the wall.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 19, 2022
“And I drink ‘long life to your resolution’, Teddy,” cried Jo, baptizing him with a splash of lemonade, as she waved her glass and beamed approvingly upon him.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
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.
