bap·tism 
/ˈbæpˌtɪzəm/ noun
plural bap·tisms /ˈbæpˌtɪzəm/ noun : a Christian ceremony in which a small amount of water is placed on a person's head or in which a person's body is briefly placed under water ◊A baptism officially makes someone a member of the Christian Church. [count] ▪ There were over 100 baptisms at our church last year. [noncount] ▪ He received the sacrament of baptism as an infant. — often used figuratively ▪ The interview was a baptism into journalism for the young writer. [=it was the young writer's first experience as a journalist] ◊A baptism of fire or (chiefly US) baptism by fire is a first experience that is very difficult or painful, such as the first time that soldiers are in a battle.
▪ He described his troop's baptism of fire on the front lines. ▪ Covering the disaster was a baptism by fire for the young reporter.
▪ He described his troop's baptism of fire on the front lines. ▪ Covering the disaster was a baptism by fire for the young reporter.
— bap·tis·mal /bæpˈthɪzmə/ adjective always used before a noun
▪ The priest stood at the baptismal font. ▪ a baptismal certificate
/bæpˈthɪzmə/ adjective always used before a noun ▪ The priest stood at the baptismal font. ▪ a baptismal certificate
