dedicate

[ded-i-keyt, ded-i-kit]

verb (used with object)

dedicated, dedicating 

1. to set apart and consecrate to a deity or to a sacred purpose.

   The ancient Greeks dedicated many shrines to Aphrodite.

2. to devote wholly and earnestly, as to some person or purpose.

   He dedicated his life to fighting corruption.

   Synonyms: consecrate, pledge, commit

3. to offer formally (a book, piece of music, etc.) to a person, cause, or the like in testimony of affection or respect, as on a prefatory page.

4. (loosely) to inscribe a personal signature on (a book, drawing, etc., that is one's own work), usually with a salutation addressing the recipient.

5. to mark the official completion or opening of (a public building, monument, highway, etc.), usually by formal ceremonies.

6. to set aside for or assign to a specific function, task, or purpose.

   The county health agency has dedicated one inspector to monitor conditions in nursing homes.

adjective

1. dedicated.

dedicate

/ ˈdɛdɪˌkeɪt, ˈdɛdɪˌkeɪtərɪ, ˈdɛdɪkətərɪ, -trɪ /

verb

1. (often foll by to) to devote (oneself, one's time, etc) wholly to a special purpose or cause; commit wholeheartedly or unreservedly

2. (foll by to) to address or inscribe (a book, artistic performance, etc) to a person, cause, etc as a token of affection or respect

3. (foll by to) to request or play (a record) on radio for another person as a greeting

4. to assign or allocate to a particular project, function, etc

5. to set apart for a deity or for sacred uses; consecrate

adjective

1. an archaic word for dedicated

Other Word Forms

• dedicator noun
• dedicatory adjective
• dedicatee noun
• overdedicate verb (used with object)
• prededicate verb (used with object)
• rededicate verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of dedicate¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English (verb and adjective) from Latin dēdicātus, past participle of dēdicāre “to declare, devote,” equivalent to dē- “from, away, out of” + dicāre “to indicate, consecrate,” akin to dīcere “to say, speak”; de-, dictate )

Word History and Origins

Origin of dedicate¹

C15: from Latin dēdicāre to announce, from dicāre to make known, variant of dīcere to say

Synonym Study

See devote.

Example Sentences

In addition, the city will dedicate $250,000 toward the development of new affordable housing, formally acknowledge that the ban harmed fair housing efforts and accept increased state monitoring of its housing policies.

From Los Angeles Times

I believe Ms Rayner has acted with integrity and with a dedicated and exemplary commitment to public service.

From BBC

The city should also dedicate resources to enforcing the temperature-threshold rules and to helping tenants afford their utility bills to lessen the burden, she added.

From Los Angeles Times

“Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects.”

From Los Angeles Times

New York magazine described him as "notoriously disciplined" and "dedicated to a self-control and self-containedness that can come off as coolness".

From BBC

Related Words

• allot 
• apply 
• apportion 
• assign 
• commit 
• devote 
• give 
• restrict