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:
Next week Ellison is expected to christen the closing by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, said people familiar with the matter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
There is no reason to christen your freshly cleaned kitchen with a sink full of dishes.
From Salon ● Mar. 19, 2026
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
In 1859, there was enough critical mass for some 300 miners to christen their settlement “Prospect Bar.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 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
Mr. Marriott christens this era “the new Dark Ages,” but the amount of reading that he admits takes place negates his notion of a “post-literate” society.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
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
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
It is Deburau who christens her "the lady with the camellias," for she is Marie Duplessis, better known to us as Camille.
From Seeing Things at Night by Heywood Broun
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
CARLSBAD, Calif.—John Levy Jr. built his dream home by a lagoon overlooking the Pacific Ocean and turned it into a private retreat he christened “Levyland,” complete with his own pickleball court.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 16, 2026
With a sketch about a quavery Prime Minister Keir Starmer working up the nerve to call Donald Trump, they christened “Saturday Night Live U.K.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 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
The ship was christened for a man, Wilhelm Gustloff.
From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys
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
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
I’d recently treated myself to a deep red nonstick Bundt pan and this recipe became its christening.
From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2025
The fairies came to christening parties and gave the babies magical gifts.
From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
