Meaning & use
baptism
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
A Christian ceremony in which a person is sprinkled with water or immersed in it as a sign of becoming a member of the church.
Grammar: Can be countable ('a baptism') or uncountable ('baptism is important').
Patterns
- a baptism ceremony
- infant baptism
- adult baptism
The baby's baptism will be held next Sunday.
Many churches perform baptism by full immersion.
Her baptism was a small family gathering.
nounsingularfigurative
A first experience of something difficult or challenging, especially in a new job or activity.
Grammar: Usually singular and often used in the phrase 'a baptism of fire'.
Patterns
- a baptism of fire
- baptism by fire
His first day as a teacher was a baptism of fire.
The new manager faced a baptism of fire when the project ran into trouble.
Word forms
| plural | baptisms |
|---|
Common combinations
- baptism of fire
- The soldiers experienced a baptism of fire in their first battle.
- baptism by immersion
- Some denominations practice baptism by immersion.
- baptism ceremony
- The baptism ceremony included prayers and hymns.
- infant baptism
- Infant baptism is common in many traditions.
Synonyms and how they differ
- christening
- Often refers to the naming ceremony of a baby, while baptism emphasizes the religious rite.
Word family
Commonly confused: baptism or christening?
baptism vs christening
A christening is a ceremony in some churches where a baby is named and baptized; baptism is the broader term for the Christian rite.
Practice
What is baptism?
Choose one answer.
Baptism is a Christian ceremony using water, not a Jewish, Islamic, or Hindu practice.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “baptism”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.