1. to perform the Christian ceremony of baptism on someone, typically by immersing in or sprinkling with water
Usage: religious
2. to give a name to someone or something, especially in a ceremony
3. to initiate someone into a particular activity or experience for the first time
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The priest will baptize the baby next Sunday.
• She was baptized in the river by the minister.
• They decided to baptize their daughter Sarah.
• The ship was baptized ‘Victory’ at the launching ceremony.
• The new recruits were baptized by fire in their first battle.
• He was baptized into the world of professional sports at age sixteen.