dedicate

[verb ded-i-keyt; adjective ded-i-kit]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dedicate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ded·i·cat·ed, ded·i·cat·ing.

to set apart and consecrate to a deity or to a sacred purpose: The ancient Greeks dedicated many shrines to Aphrodite.

to devote wholly and earnestly, as to some person or purpose: He dedicated his life to fighting corruption.

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.

(loosely) to inscribe a personal signature on (a book, drawing, etc., that is one's own work), usually with a salutation addressing the recipient.

to mark the official completion or opening of (a public building, monument, highway, etc.), usually by formal ceremonies.

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

dedicated.

Nearby words

Origin of dedicate

1375–1425; late Middle English (v. and adj.) < Latin dēdicātus past participle of dēdicāre to declare, devote, equivalent to dē- de- + dicāre to indicate, consecrate, akin to dīcere to say, speak (see dictate)

SYNONYMS FOR dedicate

2. commit, pledge, consecrate.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dedicate ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsded·i·ca·tor, nouno·ver·ded·i·cate, verb (used with object), o·ver·ded·i·cat·ed, o·ver·ded·i·cat·ing.pre·ded·i·cate, verb (used with object), pre·ded·i·cat·ed, pre·ded·i·cat·ing.re·ded·i·cate, verb (used with object), re·ded·i·cat·ed, re·ded·i·cat·ing.

Synonym study

1. See devote.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dedicate

Decide as a family to share cooking responsibilities and dedicate enough time for healthy meals.
Meet the Chef Fighting to Ensure That Brazilians Will Never Be as Fat as Americans|Brandon Presser|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps Ham will dedicate a plank in the replica ark to his bowtied benefactor.
The Bill Nye-Ken Ham Debate Was a Nightmare for Science|Michael Schulson|February 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
During his college days at Boston University, he decided to dedicate his life to comedy.
Meet Marc Maron: the Comedic Podcast Giant on His New IFC Show & More|Jean Trinh|May 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Now the correspondents brazenly asked the president for permission to “dedicate it to your excellency.”
How a Racist Newspaper Defeated Lincoln in New York in the 1864 Election|Harold Holzer|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Oftentimes, people need to refocus and dedicate more time to real-life interactions.
‘Disconnect’: A New Film About Cyberbullying, Identity Theft, and Porn|Marlow Stern|April 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Nor must you suppose that the humble duties to which I dedicate my life give no scope for passion.
Letters of Two Brides|Honore de Balzac
For years past I have been at work collecting notes for this book which I have decided to dedicate to you.
His Excellency the Minister|Jules Claretie
Ted told of his love for the Mahela, and of a heart-rooted desire to dedicate his life to helping people enjoy it.
Double Challenge|James Arthur Kjelgaard
You must take Christ's yoke upon you and dedicate yourselves to Him.
Mrs Whittelsey's Magazine for Mothers and Daughters|Various
But I can dedicate my mind and heart and will and limbs to God.
The Saracen: The Holy War|Robert Shea

British Dictionary definitions for dedicate

dedicate

verb (tr)

(often foll by to) to devote (oneself, one's time, etc) wholly to a special purpose or cause; commit wholeheartedly or unreservedly

(foll by to) to address or inscribe (a book, artistic performance, etc) to a person, cause, etc as a token of affection or respect

(foll by to) to request or play (a record) on radio for another person as a greeting

to assign or allocate to a particular project, function, etc

to set apart for a deity or for sacred uses; consecrate

adjective

an archaic word for dedicated

Derived Formsdedicatee, noundedicator, noundedicatory (ˈdɛdɪˌkeɪtərɪ, ˈdɛdɪkətərɪ, -trɪ) or dedicative, adjective

Word Origin for dedicate

C15: from Latin dēdicāre to announce, from dicāre to make known, variant of dīcere to say

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

Word Origin and History for dedicate

dedicate

early 15c. (of churches), from Latin dedicatus, past participle of dedicare "consecrate, proclaim, affirm, set apart," from de- "away" (see de-) + dicare "proclaim," from stem of dicere "to speak, to say" (see diction). Dedicated "devoted to one's aims or vocation" is first attested 1944.

dedicate

verb (used with object), ded·i·cat·ed, ded·i·cat·ing.

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of dedicate

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for dedicate

dedicate

verb (tr)

adjective

Word Origin for dedicate

dedicate