dedication
/dɛdɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
1The quality of being dedicated or committed to a task or purpose: his dedication to his duties...
- To learn to love, or give, requires tremendous effort and dedication to spiritual growth.
- He has shown tremendous commitment and dedication to saving lives and for that we are very grateful.
- Both of these women were rewarded for their commitment and dedication to improving labour standards in the burgeoning call centre industry.
Synonyms
commitment, wholeheartedness, single-mindedness, enthusiasm, zeal, application, diligence, industry, assiduity, resolve, resoluteness, purposefulness, conscientiousness, perseverance, persistence, tenacity, doggedness, drive, staying power, backbone, sedulousness;
hard work, effort, labour, striving
devotion, devotedness, commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, adherence, allegiance, constancy, staunchness
2The action of dedicating a church or other building: the dedication of a new city church...
- As I discovered during the four-hour-long dedication ceremony, the cathedral is not just a huge auditorium under church auspices.
- The dedication of new churches is of supreme importance and involves feasts and choral competitions
- Such preparations marked a building's dedication and consecration to the service of God.
2.1 [count noun] An inscription or form of words dedicating a building, book, etc. to a person or deity: a faintly engraved inscription or dedication the hardback edition contained a fulsome dedication to his wife...
- Norbrook argues that the dedications of the individual books, and of the volume as a whole, were all to men involved in opposition to government policy.
- Apart from the usual salutations and dedications, the book starts with an introduction in conventional German.
- The expectations raised by the prefatory dedications to this book are fully realised in both its felicitous prose and subtle readings.
Synonyms
inscription, address, message
blessing, consecration, sanctification, hallowing, benediction
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin dedicatio(n-), from dedicare 'devote, consecrate' (see dedicate).