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
They baptized their son "John" after the baby's grandfather.
: to administer baptism
baptizer
noun
Examples of baptize in a Sentence
The priest baptized the baby.
She was baptized at the age of 20.
Recent Examples on the Web
Later in life, Hogan seemed to turn toward religion and was baptized alongside his wife Sky in 2023.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 24 July 2025
To the left of Bernard are Hebrew children; to the right are the Christian children who were baptized (the unbaptized being in Limbo).
—Mary Jo Bang
july 9, Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
Palmer, who’d been baptized Catholic since his first conviction, was read a short prayer before the noose was placed around his neck.
—Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Jesus was part of the crowd around John and was baptized by John.
—Walt Shelton, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for baptize
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Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 24 July 2025
To the left of Bernard are Hebrew children; to the right are the Christian children who were baptized (the unbaptized being in Limbo).
—Mary Jo Bang
july 9, Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
Palmer, who’d been baptized Catholic since his first conviction, was read a short prayer before the noose was placed around his neck.
—Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Jesus was part of the crowd around John and was baptized by John.
—Walt Shelton, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for baptize
Cite this Entry
“Baptize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baptize. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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
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