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

Membership has declined but members are dedicated and plan for year No. 84 next fall.

From Los Angeles Times

"It was very important to find young, modern, educated women that have talent they were ready to dedicate to society," says Sahra.

From BBC

Tom Ogden wrote an indie-pop anthem about the incident, then dedicated their fifth album to the unfortunate inanimate ape.

From BBC

“They’re very dedicated to soccer, training four and five times a week. There’s a lot of passion for the game out there,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Her methods – and her sense of closeness to the primates she has dedicated her life to – have given her a unique perspective.

From BBC

Related Words

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