christen

C1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈkrɪs.ən/ UK /ˈkrɪs.ən/ See IPA manual

Freq #27918

Meanings

1

verb
to baptize someone in a Christian ceremony and formally give them a name

The family will christen the baby at the village church next Sunday.
2

verb
to give a person or thing a name, title, or nickname

The crew christened the new research vessel Aurora.
3

verb
informal: to use something for the first time

She decided to christen her new boots on a long coastal walk.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to baptize someone in a... baptize name

2 verb · to give a person or thing a... name call dub

3 verb · informal: to use something... inauguratebreak in

Word family

Forms christened

Derived forms christenerrechristen

Related forms Christ Christian baptism

Etymology

From Middle English cristenen and Old English cristnian 'to make Christian or baptize', based on cristen 'Christian'. The later senses of giving a name or inaugurating something developed from the naming associated with baptism.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives Register & Style

External links

# christen

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈkrɪs.ən/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈkrɪs.ən/
**Frequency rank:** 27918

## Meanings
1. to baptize someone in a Christian ceremony and formally give them a name
2. to give a person or thing a name, title, or nickname
3. informal: to use something for the first time

## Examples
- The family will christen the baby at the village church next Sunday.
- The crew christened the new research vessel Aurora.
- She decided to christen her new boots on a long coastal walk.

## Synonyms
- baptize
- name
- call
- dub
- inaugurate
- break in

## Derived Forms
- christener
- rechristen

## Related Forms
- Christ
- Christian
- baptism

## Etymology
From Middle English cristenen and Old English cristnian 'to make Christian or baptize', based on cristen 'Christian'. The later senses of giving a name or inaugurating something developed from the naming associated with baptism.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives
- Register & Style

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