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

The dedication and fanaticism of Palantir investors may indicate a high element of risk to outsiders, but it has translated into life-changing money for some.

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"Their dedication, skill, and resilience are the backbone of this business," the statement continued.

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Reputedly, he kept copies of Austen’s works in all his residences, and her dedication of “Emma” was a response to well-wishers hoping the author might benefit from royal patronage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hazrat, who started as a busboy, served the hotel for five decades; in a different setting, his dedication and diligence might eventually have lofted him to a leadership role.

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Kennedy said Sanders will be remembered for his “dedication, his kindness and the positive impact he had on everyone.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adherence 
• allegiance 
• commitment 
• devotion