First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1dedicate
adjective ded·i·cate \ˈde-di-kət\
Definition of DEDICATE
: dedicated 1
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Origin of DEDICATE
Middle English, from Latin dedicatus, past participle of dedicare to dedicate, from de- + dicare to proclaim, dedicate — more at diction
Rhymes with DEDICATE
2dedicate
verb ded·i·cate \ˈde-di-ˌkāt also ˈde-ˌdē-\
: to officially make (something) a place for honoring or remembering a person, event, etc.
ded·i·cat·edded·i·cat·ing
Full Definition of DEDICATE
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
— ded·i·ca·tor \-ˌkā-tər\ noun
See dedicate defined for English-language learners
See dedicate defined for kids
First Known Use of DEDICATE
15th century
Related to DEDICATE
- Synonyms
- allocate, consecrate, devote, earmark, give up (to), reserve, save, set by
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
DEDICATING Defined for Kids
dedicate
verb ded·i·cate \ˈde-di-ˌkāt\
ded·i·cat·edded·i·cat·ing
Definition of DEDICATE for Kids
1
: to set apart for some purpose : devote <The land was dedicated as a nature preserve.>
2
: to commit to a goal or way of life <She dedicated her life to finding a cure.>
3
: to say or write that something (as a book or song) is written or performed as a compliment to someone <“We at Flint's only soul station, WAMM, dedicate this song to Daniel, from Wilona.” — Christopher Paul Curtis, The Watsons>
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