christen

verb

chris·​ten ˈkri-sᵊn How to pronounce christen (audio)
christened; christening ˈkri-sə-niŋ How to pronounce christen (audio)
ˈkris-niŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: baptize sense 1
was christened when he was three months old
b
: to name at baptism
They christened the baby Anne.
2
: to name or dedicate (something, such as a ship) by a ceremony that often involves breaking a bottle of champagne
3
: name sense 1
The newspaper christened her as the reigning Queen of Tennis.
4
: to use for the first time
They christened the new ballpark with a win.

Examples of christen in a Sentence

He was christened when he was three months old. They christened the baby Anna. The politician was chosen to christen a new ship. The newspaper has christened her as the reigning Queen of Tennis. They christened the new ball park with a win.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The young Calgary Flames netminder stretches his extremities, christens his crease by squirting it with whatever’s in his water bottle and might momentarily skate around his net. Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025 After three ships ran aground on the reef in just 18 days, provoking national outcry, Congress created the nation’s largest marine sanctuary in 1990 — a 2,800-square-mile swath from Dry Tortugas to Key Biscayne christened the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025 The Sphere, which U2 christened at its September 2023 opening and played for 40 dates, has been a visual and sonic playground for Phish, Dead & Co, the Eagles (with dates through April) and Afterlife Presents Anyma. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025 The studio recently christened the Disney Treasure, the newest cruise ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet and a vessel featuring Disney characters and IP in all directions, including in restaurants and bars. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for christen 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cristnen, from Old English cristnian, from cristen Christian, from Latin christianus

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of christen was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near christen

Cite this Entry

“Christen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/christen. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

christen

verb
chris·​ten ˈkris-ᵊn How to pronounce christen (audio)
christened; christening ˈkris-niŋ How to pronounce christen (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
2
a
: to name at baptism
christened the baby Robin
b
: to name or dedicate in a ceremony like that of baptism
christen a ship

More from Merriam-Webster on christen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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