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devote

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verb de·vote \ di-ˈvōt , dē- \

Definition of devote

devoted; devoting
transitive verb
1 :to commit by a solemn act
  • devoted herself to serving God
2 :to give over or direct (time, money, effort, etc.) to a cause, enterprise, or activity
  • Part of the lecture was devoted to taking questions from the audience.
  • She devoted her life to public service.
—

devotement

play \-ˈvōt-mənt\ noun

See devote defined for English-language learners

See devote defined for kids

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Examples of devote in a Sentence

  1. I conscientiously devote several hours every weekend to playing with my dog.

  2. planning a diplomatic career, she's been intensely devoting herself to the study of foreign languages in college

Recent Examples of devote from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of devote

Latin devotus, past participle of devovēre, from de- + vovēre to vow

devote Synonyms

Synonyms
allocate, consecrate, dedicate, earmark, give up (to), reserve, save, set by, set apart, set aside
Related Words
bless, hallow, sanctify; commit, confide, consign, entrust (also intrust); apply, bestow, employ, use
Near Antonyms
ignore, neglect; misapply, misuse

Synonym Discussion of devote

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

Phrases Related to DEVOTE

Related Phrases

DEVOTE Defined for Kids

devote

play
verb de·vote \ di-ˈvōt \

Definition of devote for Students

devoted; devoting
1 :to set apart for a special purpose
  • The land was devoted to wildlife preservation.
2 :to give up to entirely or in part
  • He devoted himself to finding a cure.

Learn More about devote

  1. See words that rhyme with devote Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for devote Spanish Central: Translation of devote Nglish: Translation of devote for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of devote for Arabic speakers

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Examples: devote in a Sentence