devote

verb de·vote \ di-ˈvōt , dē- \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

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Examples: devote in a Sentence

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.

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devotement

play \-ˈvōt-mənt\ noun

See devote defined for English-language learners

See devote defined for kids

Examples of devote in a Sentence

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

Souter was careful and cautious as a judge and devoted to precedent.

— david g. savage, latimes.com, "Judges Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett are leading candidates for Supreme Court seat," 28 June 2018
Joseph operated a crane in a Gary steel mill and devoted his free time to playing guitar in a band called the Falcons.

— dakota crawford, Indianapolis Star, "Joe Jackson, patriarch of the Jackson family, dead at 89," 27 June 2018
On Wednesday, Trump roiled the summit by calling on NATO members to more than double their military budgets, suggesting a new benchmark that would have them devote 4 percent of their economy to defense.

— calvin woodward and hope yen, chicagotribune.com, "Trump is in Europe and the truth is not with him: A fact check," 14 July 2018
Evelyn was a kind, caring, loving, and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend and she will be dearly missed.

— courant.com, "Evelyn Ruth Chapman," 14 July 2018
The initial details were posted on its website devoted to the groundwater problems on July 5.

— lee bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Johnson Controls unit expands offer to treat tainted water tied to Marinette plant," 11 July 2018
Mildred was a bookkeeper, avid canasta player, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 7/10," 10 July 2018
Thompsonville Crime Watch ENFIELD — The Town of Enfield is looking to create an organized group of civilians that will be devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within the Thompsonville Neighborhood.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 10 July 2018
Members of the western military alliance have agreed on a goal of each country devoting 2 percent of GDP to defense within a decade.

— Fox News, "European peace activists march against Trump's NATO visit," 7 July 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1586

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

devote Synonyms

Phrases

get cracking, get one's act together, get with it, turn one's hand (or turn a hand);

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.