Baptist

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.

“Baptist” is pronounced BAP-tihst (/ˈbæbtɪst/ in IPA).

Here is “Baptist” used in a sentence: “Her grandparents were lifelong Baptists who attended church every Sunday.”

Depending on how it is used, “Baptist” can be a noun and an adjective.

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.

“Baptist” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.