Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Christening: meaning, definitions and examples

⛪
Add to dictionary

christening

 

[ ˈkrɪs(ə)nɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious ceremony

A christening is a Christian ceremony in which a baby is baptized and given a name. It is usually performed by a priest or minister in a church.

Synonyms

baptism, naming ceremony.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
christening

Used mainly in Christian contexts, specifically in more traditional Christian denominations. It involves a ceremony to officially name a child and often includes water rituals.

  • The christening of the baby was held at the local church
  • Elizabeth invited her family to the christening of her son
baptism

A religious ceremony found in Christianity, symbolizing purification and admission to the Christian Church. It can be for both infants and adults.

  • John underwent baptism when he was ten
  • Infant baptism is a common practice in many Christian families
naming ceremony

A non-religious event recognizing the naming of a child, often used by secular families. It's a way to gather loved ones together to celebrate the new addition to the family.

  • They had a beautiful naming ceremony at their home
  • The parents chose to have a naming ceremony rather than a religious rite

Examples of usage

  • The christening of the royal baby was attended by many dignitaries.
  • After the christening, there was a celebration with family and friends.
Context #2 | Noun

formal naming ceremony

A christening can also refer to any formal ceremony in which someone is given a name or officially welcomed into a group or organization.

Synonyms

naming, welcoming ceremony.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
christening

Used in a Christian religious context where it involves baptizing a baby and officially naming them in a church ceremony.

  • They invited us to their baby's christening at St. Mary's Church.
  • The christening was a beautiful ceremony, followed by a family gathering.
naming

Can be used in both religious and non-religious contexts, indicating the act of officially assigning a name to a baby without necessarily involving any religious rituals.

  • The naming ceremony was held in their backyard.
  • They haven't decided the date for their child's naming yet.
welcoming ceremony

Typically used in non-religious or multicultural contexts to celebrate the arrival and naming of a new baby, focusing on welcoming them into the community or family.

  • They combined the welcoming ceremony with a family reunion.
  • The welcoming ceremony was a joyous occasion with friends and family.

Examples of usage

  • The christening of the new ship was a grand event with champagne and speeches.
  • The christening of the new employee involved a welcoming speech and introduction to the team.

Translations

Translations of the word "christening" in other languages:

🇵🇹 batismo

🇮🇳 बपतिस्मा

🇩🇪 Taufe

🇮🇩 baptisan

🇺🇦 хрещення

🇵🇱 chrzest

🇯🇵 洗礼 (せんれい)

🇫🇷 baptême

🇪🇸 bautizo

🇹🇷 vaftiz

🇰🇷 세례 (se-rye)

🇸🇦 تعميد

🇨🇿 křest

🇸🇰 krst

🇨🇳 洗礼 (xǐlǐ)

🇸🇮 krst

🇮🇸 skírn

🇰🇿 шоқыну

🇬🇪 ნათლობა (natloba)

🇦🇿 xaç suyuna salma

🇲🇽 bautizo

Etymology

The word 'christening' originated from the Old English word 'crīstnung', which means 'the making of Christians'. It has been used since the 12th century to refer to the act of baptizing and giving a name to a child in a Christian ceremony. Over time, the term has also been extended to other formal naming ceremonies or welcoming rituals in various contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,247, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.