devotion
Americannoun
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profound dedication, especially to religion.
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earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.
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an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause, etc..
the devotion of one's wealth and time to scientific advancement.
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Ecclesiastical. Often devotions religious observance or worship; a form of prayer or worship for special use.
noun
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(often foll by to) strong attachment (to) or affection (for a cause, person, etc) marked by dedicated loyalty
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religious zeal; piety
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(often plural) religious observance or prayers
Usage
What are other ways to say devotion? The noun devotion refers to profound dedication or earnest attachment to a cause, person, or deity. How does devotion compare to love and affection? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of devotion
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English devocioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin dēvōtiōn-, stem of dēvōtiō “consecration, enchantment, vow”; equivalent to devote + -ion
Explanation
If you feel loyal and loving toward someone or something, that's devotion. If your devotion to your pet hamster truly knows no limits, you might splurge on a solid-gold hamster wheel. Devotion also means a commitment or dedication to some purpose. Your devotion recycling is noble, but can you wait until I've read the newspaper? The plural noun devotions can have a religious meaning too, meaning prayers offered to God. You heard the minister was hired for his devotion to God, but the fact that he fell asleep during devotions made you wonder.
Vocabulary lists containing devotion
Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" (1863)
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100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
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Michelle Obama's Speech at the 2016 DNC
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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.
See Examples For:
Poland's most popular Marian devotion site is a painting known as the "Black Madonna", in Czestochowa, southern Poland, that attracts between 3.5 and five million pilgrims every year.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
In a broadly sweet, vivacious and gorgeously sung set Tuesday, that sentiment revealed the moral clarity that bolsters her songs about devotion and intimacy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Of course, devotion to principle and decorum sometimes hovers close to sanctimony, but there is a human side to Mr. Alexander as well, and even humor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
They described the mother as "intelligent, confident, a consummate professional" and praised her devotion to her family.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
The Jesuits are widely known for their focus on social justice and human rights, as well as a devotion to theology, missionary work, and education.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
The pair singing along to Prine and DeMent’s “In Spite of Ourselves,” with its wincingly funny lovers trading jabs and devotions, is one moment of levity and self-awareness breaking through the desperation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2025
Local Christians also stand out as they join the devotions, with Palestinian and Armenian scout groups leading religious processions.
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2023
Ministers offered devotions and the wail of bagpipes echoed in the arena.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 9, 2022
Buddhists use such statues to help focus their devotions and to contemplate the virtues of the religion’s founder.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 9, 2021
The bells clamored as loudly as ever, but now the sound was associated with the regular procession of the monks going to devotions.
From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
