1 christen | Definition of christen
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christen

verb
chris·​ten | \ ˈkri-sᵊn How to pronounce christen (audio) \
christened; christening\ ˈkris-​niŋ How to pronounce christening (audio) , ˈkri-​sə-​niŋ \

Definition of christen

transitive verb

1a : baptize sense 1 was christened when he was three months old
b : to name at baptism They christened the baby Anne.
2 : to name or dedicate (something, such as a ship) by a ceremony that often involves breaking a bottle of champagne
3 : name sense 1 The newspaper christened her as the reigning Queen of Tennis.
4 : to use for the first time They christened the new ballpark with a win.
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about christen

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Examples of christen in a Sentence

He was christened when he was three months old. They christened the baby Anna. The politician was chosen to christen a new ship. The newspaper has christened her as the reigning Queen of Tennis. They christened the new ball park with a win.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 While Harry took a seat next to his wife and baby boy, for Harry’s christening Charles perched himself on the sofa’s arm, with Prince William and a stern-faced Queen Elizabeth taking seats on the couch. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, "All About Princess Diana and Meghan Markle's Royal Christening Couch Connection," 29 Aug. 2019 The Red Sox selected him in the 26th round of the June 2013 amateur draft, christening his six years-and-counting tour of the minor leagues. — Ron Kroichick, SFChronicle.com, "Giants’ Mauricio Dubon beat Honduras’ odds: ‘Whole life changed in four days’," 16 Aug. 2019 Charles Hamilton, who was christened (and later written about as) Mary Hamilton, worked as a doctor and took a wife. — Jeanna Kadlec, Longreads, "The 19th Century Lesbian Made for 21st Century Consumption," 7 June 2019 The town of Confederate Corners (nee Springtown) was christened by a group of Southerners who settled in the area after the Civil War. — Kevin Waite, The New Republic, "California’s Forgotten Confederate History," 19 Aug. 2019 But the new species wasn’t christened the moment the scientists noticed the DNA sequence discrepancies. — Lila Thulin, Smithsonian, "A New Species of Leech Is Discovered Near Washington, D.C.," 15 Aug. 2019 Baby Archie was christened at Windsor Castle on July 6, and while the religious ceremony was private, the Sussexes' did release two photos to the public in honor of the baptism. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Just Arrived at the Lion King Premiere," 14 July 2019 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's first child, Archie, was christened on July 6. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Archie's Christening Photos Are So Much Like the Cambridge Children's Portraits," 7 July 2019 Meghan and Harry's son was christened at the queen's private chapel in Windsor Castle and the ceremony was said to be small and private, with approximately 25 guests. — Marina Liao And Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Looked Beautiful in White Dior for Archie's Christening," 6 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'christen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of christen

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for christen

Middle English cristnen, from Old English cristnian, from cristen Christian, from Latin christianus

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More Definitions for christen

christen

verb
How to pronounce christen (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of christen

: to baptize (someone)
: to name (someone) at baptism
: to officially give (something, such as a ship) a name in a ceremony that often involves breaking a bottle of champagne

See the full definition for christen in the English Language Learners Dictionary

christen

verb
chris·​ten | \ ˈkri-sᵊn How to pronounce christen (audio) \
christened; christening

Kids Definition of christen

1 : baptize sense 1
2 : to name at baptism The parents christened the baby Robin.
3 : name entry 2 sense 1 … it would be a long time before they forgot the giant, three-headed dog he'd christened “Fluffy.”— J. K. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets
4 : to name or dedicate (as a ship) in a ceremony

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More from Merriam-Webster on christen

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with christen

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for christen

Spanish Central: Translation of christen

Nglish: Translation of christen for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of christen for Arabic Speakers

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