noun · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK, US:/ˌdɛdɪˈkeɪʃən/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -eɪʃən
CMU ARPABET:D EH2 D AH0 K EY1 SH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
Examples
work with dedication
Her dedication is admirable.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: dedicatedness
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A note addressed to a patron or friend, prefixed to a work of art as a token of respect, esteem, or affection.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
Examples
Her dedication for the book was only a cryptic "Once again, for T".
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
The event, or the ceremony celebrating it, marking an official completion, opening, or beginning.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
Examples
Near-synonym: inauguration
The building's dedication is scheduled for next week.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: inauguration
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
The deliberate or negligent surrender of all rights to property.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: law
Examples
the dedication of this right-of-way
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
Originated 1350–1400 from Middle English dedicacioun, from Old French dedicacion (“consecration of a church or chapel”), from Latin dēdicātiō, equivalent to dēdicātus+-iōn.
Across languages
Translations
47 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Arabic:
تَفَانٍ
(tafānin)
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
Armenian:
նվիրում
(nvirum)
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
Dutch:
toewijding
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
German:
Einsetzen
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
German:
Einsatz
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
German:
Hingeben
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
German:
Hingabe
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
German:
Engagement
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
Ancient Greek:
ἐγκαίνια
(enkaínia)
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
Italian:
dedizione
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
Macedonian:
посвета
(posveta)
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
Māori:
ngākau titikaha
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
Swedish:
hängivenhet
— the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
Arabic:
إِهْدَاء
(ʔihdāʔ)
— note prefixed to a work of art
Bulgarian:
посвещение
(posveštenie)
— note prefixed to a work of art
Catalan:
dedicatòria
— note prefixed to a work of art
Czech:
věnování
— note prefixed to a work of art
Dutch:
toewijding
— note prefixed to a work of art
Dutch:
dedicatie
— note prefixed to a work of art
Esperanto:
dediĉo
— note prefixed to a work of art
French:
dédicace
— note prefixed to a work of art
Georgian:
მიძღვნა
(miʒɣvna)
— note prefixed to a work of art
German:
Widmung
— note prefixed to a work of art
German:
Zueignung
— note prefixed to a work of art
Greek:
αφιέρωση
(afiérosi)
— note prefixed to a work of art
Hebrew:
הקדשה
(hakdashá)
— note prefixed to a work of art
Indonesian:
bakti
— note prefixed to a work of art
Indonesian:
dedikasi
— note prefixed to a work of art
Irish:
tíolacadh
— note prefixed to a work of art
Italian:
dedicazione
— note prefixed to a work of art
Macedonian:
посвета
(posveta)
— note prefixed to a work of art
Malay:
dedikasi
— note prefixed to a work of art
Navajo:
baa deetʼáanii
— note prefixed to a work of art
Polish:
dedykacja
— note prefixed to a work of art
Polish:
poświęcenie
— note prefixed to a work of art
Portuguese:
dedicatória
— note prefixed to a work of art
Romanian:
dedicație
— note prefixed to a work of art
Russian:
посвяще́ние
(posvjaščénije)
— note prefixed to a work of art
Spanish:
dedicación
— note prefixed to a work of art
Spanish:
dedicatoria
— note prefixed to a work of art
Swedish:
tillägnan
— note prefixed to a work of art
Swedish:
hälsning
— note prefixed to a work of art
Tagalog:
patungkol
— note prefixed to a work of art
German:
Einweihung
— a ceremony marking an official completion or opening
German:
Weihe
— a ceremony marking an official completion or opening
German:
Konsekration
— a ceremony marking an official completion or opening
Swedish:
invigning
— a ceremony marking an official completion or opening
