dedicate

Verb

dedicate (third-person singular simple present dedicates, present participle dedicating, simple past and past participle dedicated)

1. (transitive) To set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate.
2. (transitive) To set apart for a special use.
   • dedicated their money to scientific research.

   Synonyms:

   allocate

3. (transitive) To commit (oneself) to a particular course of thought or action.
   • dedicated ourselves to starting our own business.
   • Karen and Michael are currently retired in California and continue to dedicate their lives to finding their missing son. Despite the passage of time and complete lack of verified sightings, Michael and Karen have consistently stated they refuse to stop looking.2026 July 18, Nicholas Muhoro, “Bryce Laspisa Vanished Near Castaic Lake After Spending 13 Hours Parked on a California Highway”, in Skip Boring, archived from the original on 19 Jul 2026

   Synonyms:

   devote, give up

4. (transitive) To address or inscribe (a literary work, for example) to another as a mark of respect or affection.
5. (transitive) To open (a building, for example) to public use.
6. (transitive) To show to the public for the first time.
   • dedicate a monument.

Adjective

UK/ˈdɛdɪˌkɪt/

dedicate (comparative more dedicate, superlative most dedicate)

1. (obsolete) Dedicated; set apart; devoted; consecrated.
   • Dedicate to nothing temporal.c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
   • His life is dedicate to worthiness.1856, George Henry Calvert, Like Unto Like

Noun

UK/ˈdɛdɪˌkɪt/

dedicate (plural dedicates)

1. One who dedicates themselves, or who is dedicated, to the service of some leader, religion, etc.
   • Glancing at the crowd of onlookers, she said, “I know that service at the dining hall will be over soon”—instantly a few dedicates and all of the novices hurried away—“and some of us here would like to prepare our own meal.” […] Out of sight of the dedicates, she climbed over the short fence and...2011 September 1, Tamora Pierce, Circle of Magic #1: Sandry's Book, Scholastic Inc., →ISBN
   • Initiation—When a dedicate is seen on all levels to be learning and doing more as they participate in the circle and aids with rituals and/or divination, an initiation is decided on with the priest or priestess and dedicate.2015 April 8, Dracaena Paxx, The Sacred Spiral: Unlocking Ones Infinite Potential, Xlibris Corporation, →ISBN