dedication

[ded-i-key-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of dedicating.

2. the state of being dedicated: dedicated.

   Her dedication to medicine was so great that she had time for little else.

3. a formal, printed inscription in a book, piece of music, etc., dedicating it to a person, cause, or the like.

4. a personal, handwritten inscription in or on a work, as by an author to a friend.

5. a ceremony marking the official completion or opening of a public building, institution, monument, etc.

dedication

/ ˌdɛdɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated

2. an inscription or announcement prefixed to a book, piece of music, etc, dedicating it to a person or thing

3. complete and wholehearted devotion, esp to a career, ideal, etc

4. a ceremony in which something, such as a church, is dedicated

Other Word Forms

• dedicational adjective
• nondedication noun
• overdedication noun
• prededication noun
• rededication noun
• self-dedication noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dedication¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English dedicacioun, from Latin dēdicātiōn-, stem of dēdicātiō, literally, “a declaring,” equivalent to dēdicāt(us) “declared, devoted” (past participle of dēdicāre; dedicate ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

"We give thanks for the dedication of the local police, the railways police, and all of the hospital staff."

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Judges said they were "bowled over by Southport in Bloom's passionate dedication", adding that its Botanic Gardens, opened in 1874, "made a lasting impression".

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Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II is having a stellar rookie campaign, but his success doesn’t shock teammates who’ve seen his dedication and work ethic.

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“Despite these changes, GM remains committed to our U.S. manufacturing footprint, and we believe our investments and dedication to flexible operations will make GM more resilient and capable of leading through change.”

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That dedication to the truth, while admirable, does not automatically imply that “Deliver Me from Nowhere” is a great film.

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Related Words

• adherence 
• allegiance 
• commitment 
• devotion