dedication

noun

ded·i·ca·tion | \ ˌde-di-ˈkā-shən

Definition of dedication

1 religion : an act or rite of dedicating (see dedicate entry 2 sense 1) to a divine being or to a sacred use the dedication of the temple

2 : a devoting or setting aside for a particular purpose the dedication of funds raised from the bake sale to the class trip

3 : a name and often a message prefixed to a literary, musical, or artistic production in tribute to a person or cause mentioned his family in a brief dedication in his novel

4 : self-sacrificing devotion and loyalty her dedication to the cause required hard work and dedication

5 : a ceremony to mark the official completion or opening of something (such as a building) attended the building's dedication nearly fifty years ago

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Did You Know?

The word dedication first appears in the 14th century as a name for the solemn act of dedicating something, such as a calendar day or a church, to a divine being or to a sacred use. The word—formed from the Latin past participle of dedicare, meaning "to dedicate"—did not take hold in secular contexts until a few centuries later when English speakers began using it to refer to the act of devoting time and energy to a particular purpose. One of the earliest writers to do so is William Shakespeare. "His life I gave him, and did thereto ad / My love without retention or restraint, / All his in dedication….," proclaims his character Antonio in Twelfth Night. Dedication has also come to describe the quality of being loyal or devoted to a cause, ideal, or purpose. Nowadays, people are commonly spoken of as having a dedication to his or her family or work.

Examples of dedication in a Sentence

It took a lot of hard work and dedication, but we managed to finish the project on time. the dedication of the temple They celebrated the dedication of the new building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Recent Examples on the Web

Though categorically disparate, Newson’s oeuvre is unified by a severe dedication to craftsmanship, utilizing sometimes long-abandoned artisanal techniques in the most unorthodox of ways. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "The Hot Seat: Designer Marc Newson Is Celebrated With a Gagosian Gallery Show," 19 Jan. 2019 But no matter how ridiculous the action sequences become, the dedication to that core idea ultimately elevates the film. — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "In Mission: Impossible - Fallout, being the good guy has serious consequences," 27 July 2018 Given the right amount of time, dedication and resources, a backyard garden can be transformed into a fantasy of dreams. — Philip Potempa, Post-Tribune, "Munster Garden Walk includes eclectic offerings in 2018," 13 June 2018 Several dozen showed up for the dedication, including Jodee. — Crocker Stephenson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A house, once loved, becomes a home again, filled with magic," 12 June 2018 Roberts attended a dedication ceremony at the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her friend Rita Wilson on March 29 in Los Angeles. — Glamour, "Julia Roberts Wore $44 Baublebar Rings With a Custom Salvatore Ferragamo Suit," 12 Apr. 2019 Getty Images Since 2014, the Young Leaders Awards has celebrated the exceptional service and dedication of people ages 18–29 across the Commonwealth. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "David Beckham Showed His Support for the Queen at the Young Leaders Awards," 26 June 2018 The king thanked the prime minister in a statement for his service and dedication in making difficult and unpopular decisions. — Raja Abdulrahim, WSJ, "Jordan’s Prime Minister Steps Down in Wake of Protests," 4 June 2018 He will be honored for his service and dedication to numerous East Windsor organizations including the Town's Veterans Commission, Warehouse Point Fire District, Police Commission and Water Pollution Control Authority. — Courant Community, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dedication.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

17 May 2019

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More Definitions for dedication

dedication

noun

English Language Learners Definition of dedication

: a feeling of very strong support for or loyalty to someone or something : the quality or state of being dedicated to a person, group, cause, etc.

: a message at the beginning of a book, song, etc., saying that it was written or is being performed in order to honor or express affection for someone

: the act of officially saying that something (such as a new building) was created for a particular purpose (such as worship) or to remember or honor a particular person

See the full definition for dedication in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dedication

noun

ded·i·ca·tion | \ ˌde-di-ˈkā-shən