- (often followed by to)
to devote (oneself, one's time, etc) wholly to a special purpose or cause; commit wholeheartedly or unreservedly - (followed by to)
to address or inscribe (a book, artistic performance, etc) to a person, cause, etc as a token of affection or respect - (followed by to)
to request or play (a record) on radio for another person as a greeting to assign or allocate to a particular project, function, etc to set apart for a deity or for sacred uses; consecrate
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ded•i•cate /ˈdɛdɪˌkeɪt/USA pronunciation
v., -cat•ed, -cat•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- [ ~ + obj + to + obj] to devote or commit (something or someone) to some cause:He dedicated himself to the clean-up of the river.
- [ ~ + obj + to + obj] to offer (something) formally to a person or cause as a sign of respect:I'd like to dedicate our first song to my mother.
- [ ~ + obj] to mark the official opening of (a public building or highway), by formal ceremonies:The school dedicated the new building on Sunday.
- [ ~ + obj] to set aside for a specific purpose:dedicated the money to charity.
ded•i•cate
(v. ded′i kāt′;adj. ded′i kit),USA pronunciation v., -cat•ed, -cat•ing, adj.
v.t.
adj.
ded′i•ca′tor, n.
v.t.
- to set apart and consecrate to a deity or to a sacred purpose:The ancient Greeks dedicated many shrines to Aphrodite.
- to devote wholly and earnestly, as to some person or purpose:He dedicated his life to fighting corruption.
- to offer formally (a book, piece of music, etc.) to a person, cause, or the like in testimony of affection or respect, as on a prefatory page.
- (loosely) to inscribe a personal signature on (a book, drawing, etc., that is one's own work), usually with a salutation addressing the recipient.
- to mark the official completion or opening of (a public building, monument, highway, etc.), usually by formal ceremonies.
- to set aside for or assign to a specific function, task, or purpose:The county health agency has dedicated one inspector to monitor conditions in nursing homes.
adj.
- dedicated.
- Latin dēdicātus past participle of dēdicāre to declare, devote, equivalent. to dē- de- + dicāre to indicate, consecrate, akin to dīcere to say, speak (see dictate)
- late Middle English (verb, verbal and adjective, adjectival) 1375–1425
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See devote.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged commit, pledge, consecrate.
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