dedication

dedication — noun

1. The quality of investing significant time and energy into a cause or task that m

1.nounB2
Definition

The quality of investing significant time and energy into a cause or task that matters deeply to you, often over a long period.

Example

Theo's dedication to his music lessons was clear — he practised every evening without fail.

dedication to + noun phrase for commitment

Building a successful small business takes years of hard work and genuine dedication.

collocation: hard work and dedication

Common collocations
  • dedication to [cause/activity]
  • hard work and dedication
  • show dedication
  • require dedication
  • remarkable dedication
  • genuine dedication
  • total dedication
  • sense of dedication
Synonyms
  • commitment

    Very close in meaning; 'commitment' can also imply a promise or obligation, while 'dedication' emphasises personal passion and effort.

  • devotion

    Suggests strong emotional attachment and loyalty, often to a person or faith; 'dedication' is more focused on task-oriented effort.

  • perseverance

    Emphasises continuing despite difficulties; 'dedication' includes willingness to put in time regardless of difficulty.

Antonyms
  • indifference

    A complete lack of interest or concern, the opposite of caring deeply enough to invest effort.

  • apathy

    The absence of enthusiasm or motivation, whereas dedication requires active engagement.

Usage Note

Often used with the preposition 'to' to indicate the goal or activity: dedication to a cause, dedication to learning, dedication to one's family.

Common Mistakes

She has a big dedication to her job.
She has great dedication to her job.
'Dedication' is uncountable in this sense; do not use 'a' before it.

2. A brief note placed in the front of a creative work, naming the person or group

2.nounB2
Definition

A brief note placed in the front of a creative work, naming the person or group to whom the creator offers it out of respect or gratitude.

Example

Joaquín read the front-page dedication: 'For my grandmother, who taught me to love stories.'

dedication + 'For + person' pattern

The singer said the dedication was for all the nurses fighting the pandemic.

Common collocations
  • write a dedication
  • dedication page
  • include a dedication
  • read the dedication
  • a dedication to [someone]
Synonyms
  • inscription

    A more general term for writing carved or written on something; 'dedication' specifically names the honoured person and implies a tribute.

  • tribute

    A broader term for any act or statement showing gratitude or respect; a dedication is a specific written form of tribute.

  • acknowledgement

    Often longer and appears after the dedication page, thanking many people for help; a dedication is usually brief and honours one person or group.

Usage Note

In books, the dedication typically appears on a separate page near the front, often using the phrase 'For [name]' or 'To [name].'

Common Mistakes

The book's dedication page said dedicating to his wife.
The book's dedication page said 'For my wife.
The dedication itself is a message, not a description; it usually uses direct wording like 'For...' or 'To...'.

3. A formal event that marks the official opening of a structure such as a church,

3.nounC1
Definition

A formal event that marks the official opening of a structure such as a church, library, or memorial, with a public announcement of its intended purpose.

Example

The mayor attended the dedication of the new public library last Saturday morning.

dedication of + building

Ryo's family went to the dedication ceremony for the temple in their hometown.

dedication ceremony for + building

Common collocations
  • dedication ceremony
  • dedication of [building]
  • attend a dedication
  • dedication service
  • formal dedication
Synonyms
  • inauguration

    Often used for official launch of a public institution or political term; 'dedication' has a stronger sense of setting something apart for a sacred or special purpose.

  • consecration

    Specifically religious — dedicating a church or altar with a blessing; 'dedication' can be secular or religious.

  • opening ceremony

    A broader term for any event marking the start of use; 'dedication' emphasises the formal statement of purpose.

Usage Note

Frequently used with 'of' to specify the building being dedicated. The ceremony often includes speeches, a ribbon-cutting, or a blessing by a religious figure.

Common Mistakes

I went to the dedication for my friend's new shop.
I went to the opening of my friend's new shop.
'Dedication' in this sense is typically used for public or religious buildings, not for ordinary commercial stores.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a positive, sustained attachment to something, but they differ in emphasis. 'Commitment' (B2) implies a promise or decision to stay involved — you commit to a job or a relationship even when it is hard. 'Dedication' (B2) goes further, suggesting you actively pour time and energy into the goal because it matters to you personally. 'Devotion' (C1) carries stronger emotional and often spiritual warmth — you can be devoted to a person, a faith, or a cause with deep affection. 'Perseverance' (B2) focuses on endurance through difficulty rather than enthusiasm. For example, running a charity requires dedication to the mission (time and effort), commitment to show up every day (a decision to stay), but also perseverance when donations are low (not giving up). 'Loyalty' (B2) is about remaining faithful to a person or group through changing circumstances — it does not necessarily require hard work, only steadfast support.

commitment ↗devotion ↗perseveranceloyalty ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • hard work and dedication
  • sense of dedication
  • level of dedication
  • spirit of dedication

Adverbs

  • truly dedicated
  • deeply dedicated

Phrases

  • with dedication
  • through dedication
  • by dedication

Prepositions

  • dedication to

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

'Dedication' comes from Latin 'dedicatio', meaning a formal setting apart or proclaiming. The root 'dedicare' combines 'de-' (down, away) and 'dicare' (to proclaim, to set apart). In ancient Rome, a 'dedicatio' was the act of consecrating a temple or public building to a god. The sense of 'giving time and effort to a cause' developed later in English, along with the practice of dedicating a creative work to a patron or loved one. The word entered English in the 14th century through Old French 'dedicacion'.