dedicate

To give your energy and attention to an activity, aim, or belief over time.

• He dedicated himself to music.
• She dedicated her life to protecting wild animals.
• Will you dedicate yourself to improving the school?

How to use it: dedicate yourself to something (He dedicated himself to public service.); dedicate yourself to doing something (She dedicated herself to helping children learn.)

Similar words: devote, commit

Common phrases: dedicate yourself, dedicate your life, dedicate to something

To give time, money, space, or other resources to a particular purpose.

• We dedicate Fridays to training.
• They dedicated extra money to the new library.
• How much time can you dedicate to learning French?

How to use it: dedicate something to something (We dedicate one room to storage.); dedicate something to doing something (She dedicated the afternoon to cleaning the kitchen.)

Similar words: devote, allocate, set aside

Common phrases: dedicate time, dedicate resources, dedicate to something

To name someone as the person you made a book, song, or other work for, showing love or respect.

• I dedicate this song to my sister.
• He dedicated the book to his parents.
• Who will you dedicate your new album to?

How to use it: dedicate something to someone (She dedicated her first novel to her father.)

Common phrases: dedicate a book, dedicate a song, dedicate to someone

To set something aside for the worship of a god or for another religious purpose.

• They dedicated the church to a saint.
• The priest dedicated the new altar during the service.
• This temple was dedicated to a local god.

How to use it: dedicate something to someone/something (They dedicated the shrine to the goddess of wisdom.)

Similar words: consecrate

Opposites: desecrate

Common phrases: dedicate a temple, dedicate an altar, dedicate to something

To formally present something to the public for the first time, usually with a ceremony.

• They dedicated the monument on Sunday.
• The city dedicated a new statue in the main square.
• Families gathered as the memorial was dedicated.

Similar words: unveil

Common phrases: dedicate a monument, dedicate a memorial, dedicate a statue

To formally open a building or place for public use, usually with a ceremony.

• The mayor dedicated the new library.
• They dedicated the hospital at a public ceremony.
• The park will be dedicated next spring.

Similar words: inaugurate, open

Common phrases: dedicate a building, dedicate a library, dedicate a park