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

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

From Los Angeles Times

The late Craig Brown was as dedicated as he was meticulous as Scotland manager.

From BBC

NPA chairman Nick Kaye said the ballot result "overwhelmingly shows the sheer anger and frustration of pharmacy owners at a decade of cuts that is forcing dedicated health professionals to shut their doors for good".

From BBC

Five students expressed their support for Perez at the board meeting, describing him as a dedicated teacher who encourages independent thinking and cares deeply about the well-being of his students.

From Los Angeles Times

She dedicated the award to those who work in support of the Earth and peace.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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