Word
baptism
Phoneticsbap·tism
US/ˈbæptɪzəm/
UK/bˈæptɪzəm/
Definitions
01religious ceremony
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Religion
n. a Christian ceremony where water is used to welcome someone into the church and often to give them a name.
n. the Christian sacrament of admission to the church, typically involving the application of water to the candidate.
“The family gathered at the small village church for the baby's baptism.”
“The theological debate centered on whether baptism should be performed on infants or reserved for adult believers who can profess their own faith.”
Synonyms
02naming ceremony
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal
n. a ceremony or event where something is given a formal name.
n. the act or ceremony of naming an object, such as a ship or a new project.
“The baptism of the new ocean liner involved breaking a bottle of champagne against its side.”
“The official baptism of the research facility was attended by several high-ranking government ministers and local dignitaries.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Cordileone believes is expressed most fully in the ancient tradition of full-immersion baptisms.” Etymology
From Middle English bapteme, baptesme, from Old French batesme or bapteme, from Ecclesiastical Latin, Late Latin baptisma, from Ancient Greek βάπτισμα (báptisma, “dipping, baptism”), from βαπτίζω (baptízō, “I dip in liquid”). Displaced native Old English fulwiht.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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