noun
Common
Baptist
BAP-tihst
Baptist (noun) means a member of a Protestant denomination that practices baptism of believers old enough to choose it, rather than baptizing infants. Example: “Her grandparents were lifelong Baptists who attended church every Sunday.”
noun
1
A member of a Protestant denomination that practices baptism of believers old enough to choose it, rather than baptizing infants.
"Her grandparents were lifelong Baptists who attended church every Sunday."
2
Someone who performs baptisms (most famously, John the Baptist).
"John the Baptist is described in the Gospels as baptizing people in the River Jordan."
adj
1
Relating to the Baptist denomination.
"They got married in a small Baptist church in Georgia."
How to use Baptist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefers to the Baptist Christian denomination, which believes baptism should be a personal choice made by believers rather than performed on infants.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Baptists
- Comparative
- more Baptist
- Superlative
- most Baptist
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Her grandparents were lifelong _____ who attended church every Sunday.
Etymology
From Old French baptiste, from Late Latin baptista, from Greek baptistēs — someone who baptizes, from the verb baptizein.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Baptist” mean?
The word “Baptist” means a member of a Protestant denomination that practices baptism of believers old enough to choose it, rather than baptizing infants. In plain terms, refers to the Baptist Christian denomination, which believes baptism should be a personal choice made by believers rather than performed on infants.
How do you pronounce “Baptist”?
“Baptist” is pronounced BAP-tihst (/ˈbæbtɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “Baptist” in a sentence?
Here is “Baptist” used in a sentence: “Her grandparents were lifelong Baptists who attended church every Sunday.”
What part of speech is “Baptist”?
Depending on how it is used, “Baptist” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “Baptist” come from?
The word “Baptist” comes from Late Latin. From Old French baptiste, from Late Latin baptista, from Greek baptistēs — someone who baptizes, from the verb baptizein.
Is “Baptist” a common word?
“Baptist” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Baptist” have?
“Baptist” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of a Protestant denomination that practices baptism of believers old enough to choose it, rather than baptizing infants.
What is the difference between Baptists and Catholics on baptism?
Baptists practise baptism only for believers old enough to choose it, typically by full immersion, while Catholics baptise infants. This difference over who should be baptised is central to the Baptist denomination's identity.
Why are Baptists called Baptists?
The name comes from their defining practice of baptising believers who are old enough to choose baptism for themselves, rather than baptising infants. This emphasis on believer's baptism distinguishes the denomination from many other Protestant churches.
Is Baptist always capitalized?
When referring to the Protestant denomination or its members, 'Baptist' is capitalised, as in 'a Baptist church.' The related common noun 'baptist,' meaning someone who performs baptisms, may appear lowercase except in a title such as John the Baptist.
Are Baptists Protestant?
Yes. Baptists belong to a Protestant denomination, distinguished by baptising believers old enough to choose it rather than infants. They are part of the broader Protestant Christian tradition.
