christen
Americanverb (used with object)
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christens,
present (3rd person singular)
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christened,
past participle, past
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christening
present participle
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to receive into the Christian church by baptism; baptize.
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to give a name to at baptism.
They christened her Mary.
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to name and dedicate.
to christen a ship.
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to make use of for the first time.
verb
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to give a Christian name to in baptism as a sign of incorporation into a Christian Church
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another word for baptize
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to give a name to (anything), esp with some ceremony
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informal to use for the first time
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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christensimple
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christenssimple
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have christenedperfect
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has christenedperfect
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am christeningprogressive
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are christeningprogressive
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is christeningprogressive
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have been christeningperfect progressive
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has been christeningperfect progressive
Past
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christenedsimple
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had christenedperfect
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was christeningprogressive
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were christeningprogressive
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had been christeningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of christen
before 900; Middle English cristenen, Old English cristnian, derivative of cristen Christian
Explanation
To christen a person is to name them, especially in a church baptism ceremony. Your parents may have christened you after a great-grandparent, giving you the same first name. Even if you were christened "Tom Smith" at birth, your friends might give you a nickname, christening you "Pickles" and referring to you that way for the rest of your life. Objects can be christened too: "I hereby christen this car Scooby Doo the Subaru!" When it happens as part of a religious ceremony, being christened means being officially admitted to a Christian church — and the word's Old English root literally means "make Christian."
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:
There is no reason to christen your freshly cleaned kitchen with a sink full of dishes.
From Salon ● Mar. 19, 2026
“It was way too soon to christen Arch Manning as a quarterback that could lead a team to a national championship,” Kanell added.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025
And what had been a scoreless early ballgame suddenly became a 3-0 Brewers lead, with Vaughn going deep to left to christen his Brewers debut with a home run.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2025
These commitments are important, as they give Kennedy something to wad up and christen his wastebasket with when he steps into his new office.
From Slate ● Feb. 8, 2025
“I christen thee Biggs, Biggs, Biggs Canal--” Spender was on his feet, over the fire, and alongside Biggs before anyone moved.
From "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury
Camus’ The Plague is set in Oran, and with this connection in mind he christens his new series of unflinching depictions of massacre.
From Slate ● Jun. 6, 2025
There are lighter modern flourishes too - the father in one family christens his van Beyoncé, smartphones play a big part in the plot, and the soundtrack features Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran.
From BBC ● Nov. 18, 2024
At the end of the season Carmy, Sydney and Marcus reclaim the cannoli with a savory creation Marcus christens The Michael.
From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2023
David Zwirner christens its L.A. space with an exhibition from Njideka Akunyili Crosby, featuring new and recent works in the artist’s first solo exhibition with the gallery.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2023
He calls the Mississippi "Riviere de Buade," from the family name of his patron, and christens all the adjoining region "Frontenacie," or "Frontenacia."
From France and England in North America; a Series of Historical Narratives — Part 3 by Francis Parkman
In each of the last two springs, the Theodore Payne Foundation’s annual native garden tour has featured the home Novack and Aggrey have christened Chateau Chaparral.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
The hero was never named in the book, but the character was christened Harry Palmer for the film and played by Michael Caine.
From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2026
While it is still being rented out regularly to tenants, 7 ½ West End Court has now been christened “The Born to Run House” by Springsteen’s fans.
From Salon ● Mar. 4, 2026
Leftover pizza gets cut up, crisped on the stove and mixed into scrambled eggs—a remnant from Duggal’s college days that she has christened “pizza eggs.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025
Laurie and his grandfather came over to see her off, and Mr. Brooke looked so strong and sensible and kind that the girls christened him ‘Mr. Greatheart’ on the spot.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
They enact for their confused rescuer the story of the forgotten fairy at the christening, the curse and the spindle—and then go back to sleep.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
Porteous has received royal commissions in the past from Prince William and Catherine, including for behind the scenes moments from Louis' christening.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026
Then came her indie darling christening, courtesy of Emma Seligman’s “Shiva Baby” in 2020, when she moved to Los Angeles, followed by breakout roles in 2022’s “Bodies Bodies Bodies” and 2023’s “Bottoms.”
From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2025
Bitcoin had risen nine out of the previous 11 Octobers before this year, according to Dow Jones Market Data, leading to some bulls christening the month “Uptober.”
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2025
It was a small baby, dressed in white christening clothes with ruffles and ribbons and lace.
From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago
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.
