devotion
Americannoun
-
profound dedication, especially to religion.
-
earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.
-
an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause, etc..
the devotion of one's wealth and time to scientific advancement.
-
Ecclesiastical. Often devotions religious observance or worship; a form of prayer or worship for special use.
noun
-
(often foll by to) strong attachment (to) or affection (for a cause, person, etc) marked by dedicated loyalty
-
religious zeal; piety
-
(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
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)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Michelle Obama's Speech at the 2016 DNC
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
This devotion to authenticity is one of Thompson’s cornerstones.
From Salon • May 15, 2026
“Her love and devotion for the Arcadia community have not changed and did not waver. She asks for the community’s understanding and continued support.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
Traces of Guler's lifelong devotion to cinema can even be found in his teenage diaries from the late 1940s and 1950s, according to Temel Yilmaz, conservator and archive researcher.
From Barron's • May 10, 2026
Both futures speak to him as true callings, both as worthy directions for his soul’s devotion.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
He put me off his knee, rose, and reverently lifting his hat from his brow, and bending his sightless eyes to the earth, he stood in mute devotion.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
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.
