dedicate

1 of 2

adjective

ded·​i·​cate ˈde-di-kət 

: dedicated sense 1

dedicate

2 of 2

verb

ded·​i·​cate ˈde-di-ˌkāt 

 also  ˈde-ˌdē-

dedicated; dedicating

transitive verb

1

: to devote to the worship of a divine being

specifically : to set apart (a church) to sacred uses with solemn rites

2

a

: to set apart to a definite use

money dedicated to their vacation fund

b

: to commit to a goal or way of life

ready to dedicate his life to public service

3

: to inscribe or address by way of compliment

dedicate a book to a friend

4

: to open to public use

dedicator

ˈde-di-ˌkā-tər 

 also  ˈde-ˌdē-

noun

Synonyms

Verb

• allocate
• consecrate
• devote
• earmark
• give up (to)
• reserve
• save
• set by

Choose the Right Synonym for dedicate

devote, dedicate, consecrate, hallow mean to set apart for a special and often higher end.

devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity.

battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

Examples of dedicate in a Sentence

Verb

The new park was dedicated today.

a young attorney who has decided to dedicate her career to helping the poor receive justice

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For example, leaders need to focus on giving clear instructions and dedicate time to forging a cohesive company culture, which is harder to do online. —Graham Glass, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022

If your organization holds annual summit meetings or retreats, dedicate time to review and discuss the company’s mission and core values. —Sylvia Hastanan, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022

Verb

That milestone was recognized at the start of this past season, with the Heat dedicating its home court to Riley. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025

By cutting $260 million, ARPA-E can dedicate its resources to funding a narrower set of high-risk, high-reward programs that could make a significant contribution to America’s energy goals. —Jack Spencer, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin dedicatus, past participle of dedicare to dedicate, from de- + dicare to proclaim, dedicate — more at diction

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dedicate

• dedicate to

Rhymes for dedicate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

dedicate

verb

ded·​i·​cate

ˈded-i-ˌkāt

dedicated; dedicating

1

: to set apart for some purpose and especially a sacred or serious purpose

2

: to address or inscribe as a compliment

dedicated her book to her mother

dedicator

-ˌkāt-ər

noun