devotion
Americannoun
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devotions
plural
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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:
Meanwhile, actor and artist RiRia has a lifelong devotion to punk fashion, curating a Hysteric Glamour wardrobe bursting with color, energy and attitude.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
Their devotion to communism as unshakable as ever, both worked for the Soviet government—though in staid desk jobs rather than undercover operations—before dying within a month of each other in 1964.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
Israeli President Isaac Herzog hailed the "loyalty and devotion" of Harald, who early in his reign supported the landmark Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians.
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
You should expect no less for Raising Cane’s, a chicken-finger spot that inspires something close to religious devotion among its growing flock.
From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026
They want to be able to prove their belief and their belonging, through rituals and devotion.
From "Every Day" by David Levithan
The church knew that its faithful — Germans, Irish, Italians, Czechs, Poles, Italians, Latinos and so many more — needed a safe space to maintain their devotions and customs while navigating a new land.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2023
Local Christians also stand out as they join the devotions, with Palestinian and Armenian scout groups leading religious processions.
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2023
Every morning, between checking the levels of his oxygen tanks and cooking breakfast, he reads devotions with his wife.
From New York Times ● Mar. 25, 2022
“I think sincerity is more important than burning incense sticks,” she said, after finishing her devotions.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 1, 2022
I tell her about Mom’s devotions, about the summer of coconuts and how we’d spoken in green.
From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García
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.
