devote

verb

de·​vote di-ˈvōt 

dē-

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

di-ˈvōt-mənt 

dē-

noun

Synonyms of devote

• dedicate

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

In addition, according to the Times, the foundation has not hired any staff, with the billions in its coffers overseen by a board consisting of Musk and two volunteers, one of whom devoted the equivalent of six minutes per week working on its charitable works. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Nov. 2025

From helping redefine stand-up comedy in modern society to paving the way for Black leading actors in Hollywood, Murphy has devoted his life to show business and the silver screen. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025

Nathan devotes the brunt of his attention to the torment of a world that has every reason to doubt the mercy of a divine creator. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Nov. 2025

Goodall during her lifetime devoted herself to her work as a conservationist, her groundbreaking chimpanzee field research and globe-spanning environmental advocacy. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing devote

• devote to

Rhymes for devote

• afloat
• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• cutthroat
• demote
• denote
• endnote
• footnote
• greatcoat

Kids Definition

devote

verb

de·​vote di-ˈvōt 

devoted; devoting

1

: to set apart for a special purpose

devote land to farming

2

: to give (oneself) up to

devoted herself to her career