Dictionary.com

christen

[ kris-uhn ]
/ ˈkrɪs ən /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: christen / christened / christening on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
to receive into the Christian church by baptism; baptize.
to give a name to at baptism: They christened her Mary.
to name and dedicate: to christen a ship.
to make use of for the first time.
QUIZ
ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ
There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!
Question 1 of 7
True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

Origin of christen

before 900; Middle English cristenen,Old English cristnian, derivative of cristenChristian

OTHER WORDS FROM christen

chris·ten·er, nounre·chris·ten, verb (used with object)un·chris·tened, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use christen in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for christen

christen
/ (ˈkrɪsən) /

verb (tr)
to give a Christian name to in baptism as a sign of incorporation into a Christian Church
another word for baptize
to give a name to (anything), esp with some ceremony
informal to use for the first time

Derived forms of christen

christener, noun

Word Origin for christen

Old English cristnian, from Crīst Christ
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK