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dedication

B2
Fairly common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /dˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃən/

US

  • /ˌdɛdəˈkeɪʃən/

Meanings

Noun

  1. strong commitment or devotion to a person, goal, or activity

  2. a statement in a book or other work honoring someone it is offered to

  3. the formal act or ceremony of assigning something to a person, purpose, or use

Beyond the definition

Dedication isn't just about writing a dedication at the front of a book (though it can be!). It's that deep-down commitment you feel toward something—be it a person, a cause, or a skill. Think of a dedicated athlete training relentlessly for years, or a doctor dedicating their life to healing others. It's more than just liking something; it's pouring your heart and soul into it, even when things get tough. A dedication ceremony celebrates that commitment, marking a special achievement with heartfelt praise. You might even dedicate a song to someone you love, showing them exactly how much they mean to you.

Examples

  1. 1

    Language learning

    Learning a new language takes time and dedication.

  2. 2

    Team support

    Her dedication to the team was clear from the way she stayed late to help.

  3. 3

    Work demands

    The job demands total dedication, especially during the busy season.

  4. 4

    Helping others

    He earned everyone's respect through his dedication to helping new employees.

    • Patterndedication to + doing something

      strong commitment to that activity

More examples
  1. 5

    Training

    She approached her training with dedication and rarely missed a session.

  2. 6

    Book message

    The first page of the book contains a dedication to the author's mother.

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • show dedication
  • dedication to duty
  • hard work and dedication
  • unwavering dedication

Word family

Explore

  • self-discipline
  • work ethic

Forms and spellings

2 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • dedicationnoun

Forms

  • dedicationspluralnoun