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.
The city was preparing to take in huge numbers of visitors for the grand display of patriotism and devotion.
From Barron's • Jul. 3, 2026
Christine treats Costco with something approaching religious devotion.
From Salon • Jun. 30, 2026
“He’s been thinking about this building for 30 years,” Cipriano said of his partner’s devotion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026
The album’s next tune, “U + Me = <3,” is its high point: a euphoric promise of devotion that sounds like Sixpence None the Richer reborn as a Midwestern emo band.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026
Sybil was of the mind that he’d made it loud on purpose, to remind her of his devotion.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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.
