dedicate

DED-i-kayt/ˈdɛdɪˌkeɪt/

As a noun or adjectiveDED-i-kit

Verbdedicates, dedicating, dedicated

Noun pluraldedicates

8 meanings of dedicate

Practice

1
verbtransitive
To give all your time and effort to a goal or cause.
Like a runner who trains every day to win a race.
They dedicate themselves to helping families in need.
She dedicated her whole life to teaching young children.
Similardevote, commit, give
Note
2
verbtransitive
To save something for one special purpose only.
Like keeping one drawer just for important papers.
We dedicate this room to art projects and nothing else.
The city dedicated the funds to fixing its old roads.
Similardevote, allocate, assign, earmark, reserve
3
verbtransitive
To write a short note in a book or song to honor someone you care about.
Like writing 'For Mom' on the first page of a story you wrote.
Authors often dedicate their books to family members.
She dedicated the song to her late grandmother.
Similarinscribe
4
verbtransitive
To officially open a new building so that people can use it.
Like cutting a ribbon to let people into a new park.
The mayor will dedicate the new library next week.
They dedicated the bridge with a big ceremony.
Similaropen, inaugurate
5
verbtransitive
To set something apart for a god or for holy use.
Like setting aside a special candle that is used only in church.
The priest will dedicate the new altar on Sunday.
Ancient peoples dedicated temples to their gods.
Similarconsecrate, sanctify, hallow, bless
Oppositedeconsecrate
Note
6
verbtransitive
To show something new to people for the very first time.
Like pulling the cover off a new statue so everyone can see it.
The committee will dedicate the new sculpture during the opening gala.
They dedicated the fountain before the public had ever seen it.
Similarunveil, launch, premiere, debut
7
nouncountable
A person who gives themselves fully to the service of a leader or faith.
Like a student who promises to follow one teacher for many years.
Each dedicate took a vow before the high priestess.
The temple welcomed three dedicates at the spring rite.
Similardevotee, initiate
Note

Less common meaning

8
adjectiveobsolete
Given over fully to a special or holy purpose.
Dedicate to nothing temporal.
c. 1603, William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”Here, dedicate means set apart and given over, not to earthly things.
His life is dedicate to worthiness.
1856, George Henry Calvert, Like Unto LikeHere, dedicate means given over or devoted to a purpose.
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of dedicate apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–6

From Latin dēdicō, meaning "to dedicate" or "proclaim." It came into English through Middle English dedicaten.

Meanings 7–8

From Middle English dedicate, meaning "dedicated." It comes from the same Latin root as the verb, dēdicō.