dedicated

American  

[ded-i-key-tid] / ˈdɛd ɪˌkeɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. wholly committed to something, as to an ideal, political cause, or personal goal.

   a dedicated artist.

2. set apart or reserved for a specific use or purpose.

   dedicated lanes for self-driving cars.

3. (of machine parts, electrical components, hardware, etc.) made or designed to interconnect exclusively with one model or a limited range of models in a manufacturer's line.

   The new tractors use only high-priced dedicated accessories.

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dedicated British  

/ ˈdɛdɪˌkeɪtɪd /

adjective

1. devoted to a particular purpose or cause

   a dedicated man

2. assigned or allocated to a particular project, function, etc

   a dedicated transmission line

   dedicated parking space

3. computing designed to fulfil one function

   a dedicated microprocessor

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Other Word Forms

• dedicatedly adverb
• nondedicated adjective
• self-dedicated adjective
• undedicated adjective

Etymology

Origin of dedicated

First recorded in 1590–1600; dedicate + -ed ²

Explanation

When you are dedicated to something, you are devoted to a cause or ideal, like dedicated volunteers at the animal shelter who show up even in snowstorms and on holidays. Dedicated contains the root word dedicate, meaning "devoted to one's aims or vocation," like a dedicated staff of workers who work extremely hard. It can also mean "set aside for a specific purpose," like a dedicated desk where family members place their keys, the mail and notes to one another — don't throw your coat on top of that desk or throw those items in a drawer.

Example Sentences

Behind the scenes, there are orderlies, administrative staff and dedicated doctors doing their best to save lives.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

"We know there is a real need for dedicated funding and support around community ownership. It's a fantastic new right, but it needs to be backed up by clear support and access to resources."

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Police later said they could not provide dedicated officers, but would send mobile patrols to "check in and monitor the event".

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Chairman Brendan Carr was sitting in the room for the Correspondents’ Dinner, an event explicitly dedicated to celebrating the First Amendment.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

Herbert belonged to the Hitlerjugend, or Hitler Youth, an organization of teenagers dedicated to Adolf Hitler.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Related Words

• committed
• devoted
• enthusiastic
• faithful
• zealous