godchild

American  

[god-chahyld] / ˈgɒdˌtʃaɪld /

noun

plural

godchildren

1. a child for whom a godparent serves as sponsor at baptism.

2. a child for whom a godparent serves as sponsor.

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godchild British  

/ ˈɡɒdˌtʃaɪld /

noun

1. a person, usually an infant, who is sponsored by adults at baptism

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Usage

What does godchild mean? A godchild is a person who has one or more godparents—people who have pledged to help with their upbringing, especially in a religious way.In some denominations of Christianity, when a child is baptized, they are sponsored by (usually two) adults who pledge to help in this way. Those adults are the child’s godparents, and the child is their godchild.Godchildren are often related to their godparents (a boy might be his aunt’s godson, for example), but they don’t need to be.Godparents also often pledge to become the godchild’s guardian if needed (in the event that the child’s parents die).These terms are all sometimes applied outside of a religious context—parents may choose close relatives or friends to act as godparents for their children without any religious aspect to the relationship.A godparent can still refer to their godchild with that term even after the child becomes an adult.Example: Some people are godparents in name only, but Kelly and Chris spend as much time as they can with their godchild.

Etymology

Origin of godchild

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; god, child

Example Sentences

Yeoh added that she felt blessed to also have a number of godchildren, nieces and nephews.

From BBC

If you are Al Pacino’s godchild and he has forgotten, as his character Michael Corleone famously said in The Godfather, “it’s not personal.”

From BBC

And for once, I can listen to the same music as my godchild.”

From Los Angeles Times

The plot arrives with charming songs and dance but even a touch of terror courtesy of a delectable Evil Queen looking to kill her godchild with a poison apple.

From Washington Times

And the maid of honor at his wedding — whose children are his godchildren — called him from the Barricks’ home Monday.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• care