variants
or less commonly baptise
baptized also baptised; baptizing also baptising
1
religion
: to administer baptism (see baptism sense 1) to
baptize a child in the Episcopal Church
was baptized a Catholic as an infant
2
a
: to purify or cleanse spiritually especially by a purging (see purge entry 1 sense 1) experience or ordeal
… baptized with pain and rapture, tears and fire …—
Sidney Lanier
Sidney Lanier
b
: initiate
Both developments were baptized under last season's conditions of scanty snow …—New York Times
New York Times3
: to give a name to (as at baptism) : christen
Theybaptized their son "John" after the baby's grandfather.
: to administer baptism
baptizer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of baptize in a Sentence
The priest baptized the baby.
She was baptized at the age of 20.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the finale, Sheldon decides he’ll get baptized for his mom’s peace of mind.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2024
The story with Mary wanting to get Sheldon and Missy baptized, what was the meaning behind that?
—Jim Halterman, Variety, 17 May 2024
Barron baptized the son of comedian John Mulaney (who often explores his complicated relationship with religion on stage) while serving as a bishop in Los Angeles.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 12 May 2024
The victim was born on April 20, 1953, and later baptized and confirmed, according to Brooklyn Catholic Church records.
—Marc Santia, NBC News, 29 Apr. 2024
Because her identity was unknown when she was found, a reverend with St. Joseph’s Church baptized her and named her Mary.
—Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
Vatican officials said that transgender people can be baptized in the Catholic church.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2023
Just months ago, Francis upset more conservative corners of his church by explicitly allowing L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics to receive blessings from priests and by allowing transgender people to be baptized and act as godparents.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Lent also represents the 40 days Jesus wandered the desert praying and fasting after he was baptized.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 30 Jan. 2024
Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2024
The story with Mary wanting to get Sheldon and Missy baptized, what was the meaning behind that?
—Jim Halterman, Variety, 17 May 2024
Barron baptized the son of comedian John Mulaney (who often explores his complicated relationship with religion on stage) while serving as a bishop in Los Angeles.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 12 May 2024
The victim was born on April 20, 1953, and later baptized and confirmed, according to Brooklyn Catholic Church records.
—Marc Santia, NBC News, 29 Apr. 2024
Because her identity was unknown when she was found, a reverend with St. Joseph’s Church baptized her and named her Mary.
—Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
Vatican officials said that transgender people can be baptized in the Catholic church.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2023
Just months ago, Francis upset more conservative corners of his church by explicitly allowing L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics to receive blessings from priests and by allowing transgender people to be baptized and act as godparents.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Lent also represents the 40 days Jesus wandered the desert praying and fasting after he was baptized.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 30 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baptize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near baptize
Cite this Entry
“Baptize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baptize. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
baptize
verb
bap·tize
bap-ˈtīz 
ˈbap-ˌtīz
baptized; baptizing
1
: to dip in water or sprinkle water on as a part of the ceremony of receiving into the Christian church
2
a
: to make pure in spirit (as by a painful experience)
3
: to give a name to (as in the ceremony of baptism) : christen
baptizer
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share