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dedication

American  
[ded-i-key-shuhn] / ˌdɛd ɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of dedication

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Walker told suitors 15% of the proceeds of any deal would have to go to his employees, a reward for their loyalty and dedication.

From The Wall Street Journal

"They've both been such incredible hosts at the very heart of the show, their passion and dedication has gone above and beyond," she said at the time.

From BBC

His sincere curiosity stood out, revealing his dedication to his craft.

From Los Angeles Times

The series wrapped filming just months before Payne died, and when it aired in July, it opened with a dedication to Payne.

From Los Angeles Times

They thanked the public for their "overwhelming support" and praised medical staff for their "exceptional" care and dedication.

From BBC