dedicate

[ verb ded-i-keyt; adjective ded-i-kit ]

verb (used with object)

, ded·i·cat·ed, ded·i·cat·ing.

1. to set apart and consecrate to a deity or to a sacred purpose:

   The ancient Greeks dedicated many shrines to Aphrodite.

2. to devote wholly and earnestly, as to some person or purpose:

   He dedicated his life to fighting corruption.

   Synonyms: consecrate, pledge, commit

3. to offer formally (a book, piece of music, etc.) to a person, cause, or the like in testimony of affection or respect, as on a prefatory page.
4. (loosely) to inscribe a personal signature on (a book, drawing, etc., that is one's own work), usually with a salutation addressing the recipient.
5. to mark the official completion or opening of (a public building, monument, highway, etc.), usually by formal ceremonies.
6. to set aside for or assign to a specific function, task, or purpose:

   The county health agency has dedicated one inspector to monitor conditions in nursing homes.

adjective

1. dedicated.

dedicate

/ ˈdɛdɪˌkeɪt; ˈdɛdɪˌkeɪtərɪ; ˈdɛdɪkətərɪ; -trɪ /

verb

1. often foll by to to devote (oneself, one's time, etc) wholly to a special purpose or cause; commit wholeheartedly or unreservedly
2. foll by to to address or inscribe (a book, artistic performance, etc) to a person, cause, etc as a token of affection or respect
3. foll by to to request or play (a record) on radio for another person as a greeting
4. to assign or allocate to a particular project, function, etc
5. to set apart for a deity or for sacred uses; consecrate

adjective

1. an archaic word for dedicated

Derived Forms

• ˈdediˌcator, noun
• dedicatory, adjective
• ˌdedicaˈtee, noun

Other Words From

• dedi·cator noun
• over·dedi·cate verb (used with object) overdedicated overdedicating
• pre·dedi·cate verb (used with object) prededicated prededicating
• re·dedi·cate verb (used with object) rededicated rededicating

Word History and Origins

Origin of dedicate¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English (verb and adjective) from Latin dēdicātus, past participle of dēdicāre “to declare, devote,” equivalent to dē- “from, away, out of” + dicāre “to indicate, consecrate,” akin to dīcere “to say, speak”; de-, dictate )

Word History and Origins

Origin of dedicate¹

C15: from Latin dēdicāre to announce, from dicāre to make known, variant of dīcere to say

Synonym Study

See devote.

Example Sentences

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board described Mrs Pritchard as the "heart and soul of the community pharmacy, dedicating herself to helping others since joining in the early 1960s".

From BBC

Finally, the first new song in six years by Sade Adu — the inimitable lead vocalist of the legendary group Sade — is a candid, extraordinarily moving ballad dedicated to her son, Izaak.

From New York Times

Police Scotland says a dedicated team is working with businesses in the area and is investigating every report.

From BBC

“Pete is dedicated to ensuring that our military is focused on lethality and readiness, not woke ideology,” Johnson said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

But Los Angeles now has a substantial infusion of continuing, dedicated funding to make a dent in homelessness.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allot
• apply
• apportion
• assign
• commit
• devote
• give
• restrict