WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
bap•tism /ˈbæptɪzəm/USA pronunciation
n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Religion
- [uncountable] a ceremony in which a person is sprinkled or covered with water as a sign of acceptance into the Christian church.
- [countable] an instance or occasion of baptism:Babies sometimes cry during their baptisms.
bap•tism
(bap′tiz əm),USA pronunciation n.
bap•tis•mal
(bap tiz′məl),USA pronunciation adj.
bap•tis′mal•ly, adv.
- [Eccles.]a ceremonial immersion in water, or application of water, as an initiatory rite or sacrament of the Christian church.
- any similar ceremony or action of initiation, dedication, etc.
- a trying or purifying experience or initiation.
- [Christian Science.]purification of thought and character.
- Late Latin, as above
- Old French
- Greek bapt(ízein) to baptize + -isma -ism; replacing Middle English bapteme
- Late Latin baptisma
- 1250–1300; Middle English
- 2. induction, admittance, introduction.
'baptismal' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):