Dictionary

baptism

noun bap·tism \ˈbap-ˌti-zəm, especially Southern ˈbab-\

: a Christian ceremony in which a small amount of water is placed on a person's head or in which a person's body is briefly placed under water

Full Definition of BAPTISM

1
a :  a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community
b :  a non-Christian rite using water for ritual purification
c Christian Science :  purification by or submergence in Spirit
2
:  an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named
bap·tis·mal \bap-ˈtiz-məl, especially Southern bab-\ adjective
bap·tis·mal·ly \-mə-lē\ adverb
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of BAPTISM

Middle English baptisme
First Known Use: 14th century

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary
BAPTISM Defined for Kids

baptism

noun bap·tism \ˈbap-ˌti-zəm\

Definition of BAPTISM for Kids

:  the act or ceremony of baptizing

Browse

8 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: baptismal namePrevious Word in the Dictionary: baptisiaAll Words Near: baptism
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears