baptize

American  

[bap-tahyz, bap-tahyz] / bæpˈtaɪz, ˈbæp taɪz /

especially British, baptise

verb (used with object)

baptized, baptizing

1. to immerse in water or sprinkle or pour water on in the Christian rite of baptism.

   They baptized the new baby.

2. to cleanse spiritually; initiate or dedicate by purifying.

3. to give a name to at baptism; christen.

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verb (used without object)

baptized, baptizing

1. to administer baptism.

baptize British  

/ bæpˈtaɪz /

verb

1. Christianity to immerse (a person) in water or sprinkle water on (a person) as part of the rite of baptism

2. (tr) to give a name to; christen

3. (tr) to cleanse; purify

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Other Word Forms

• baptizable adjective
• baptizement noun
• baptizer noun
• rebaptize verb
• self-baptizer noun
• unbaptized adjective

Etymology

Origin of baptize

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Late Latin baptizāre, from Greek baptízein “to immerse,” from bápt(ein) “to dip” + -izein -ize

Example Sentences

Miraculous moments in the story, such as water welling from a rock where Patrick later baptizes people, play out in a quiet tone.

From The Wall Street Journal

For much of the country’s long history, births and deaths were logged primarily by the Catholic Church, and the best way to obtain a birth certificate was to have a baby baptized.

From New York Times

He was baptized at a Latter-day Saints church and told the undercover agent he’d “been going to Utah more often lately” before his arrest, according to his Facebook page and court records.

From Seattle Times

Earlier this week, White re-introduced herself to her Instagram followers, reclaiming her birth name and also revealing that she had been baptized in May 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

But in the 13th century Thomas Aquinas baptized into Christian theology Aristotle’s idea that the soul is the “substantial form” of every living body, meaning the soul accounts for the properties of that particular “substance.”

From Washington Post

Related Words

• immerse