dedicated

1. 1
   hard-workingadjective

   Committed and loyal, putting great care and effort into a task, cause, or relationship.

   A dedicated volunteer, he spent every weekend rebuilding the shelter.

   Their coach remained dedicated to the players' growth long after the season ended.

   UsageDedicated to a cause or person; before a verb use -ing: dedicated to helping others (not incorrect: dedicated to help).

   Similarcommitted, devoted, loyal, faithful, conscientious

   Oppositeuncommitted, indifferent, apathetic

2. 2
   single purposeadjective

   Set aside or built for one particular purpose, rather than shared or used for other things.

   The lab has a dedicated computer that runs only the scanning software.

   A dedicated bus lane keeps public transit moving during rush hour.

   UsageUsually before a noun: a dedicated server, a dedicated bus lane; also dedicated to a single use.

   Similardesignated, reserved, exclusive

   Oppositeshared

3. 3
   verb

   Simple past and past participle of dedicate.

   The author dedicated her novel to her late mother.

   Volunteers dedicated months of work to restoring the old theater.

   UsageDedicate something to someone or something: dedicated the book to her mother; dedicated herself to research.

   Note

   A novel is dedicated to a mother, a building is dedicated to public use, a shrine is dedicated to a god. When the object is oneself, as in she dedicated herself to research, the line between this form and the "devoted" adjective grows thin.

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