christening

Everyday

1. (church) A christening is a church ceremony in which a baby is baptised, given its Christian name and welcomed into the Church. tree →
2. The first use of a new thing, such as a ship's launch or new shoes (joking). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday family life a christening is a happy event: the baby wears white, godparents make promises, water is poured on the baby's head, and there is often a party after. In stories, a fairy may come to a royal christening (Sleeping Beauty). Phrases: «christening gown», «christening party», «christening cake», «godparents at a christening».

Examples

• We went to my baby cousin's christening on Sunday. tree →
• The baby wore a long white christening gown. tree →
• At the christening the vicar poured water on her head. tree →
• My aunt and uncle are my godparents from my christening. tree →
• In Sleeping Beauty, the bad fairy came to the christening. tree →
• We had cake and sandwiches after the christening. tree →
• The new ship's christening was done by breaking a bottle on it. tree →
• A few weeks later the minister was asked to attend a christening in the neighbouring town. tree →

Note

Countable. Verb: christen (the «t» is silent: KRIS-en). Christening and baptism are almost the same; «baptism» is the general church word, also for adults. Some churches baptise only older believers, not babies.