Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Dedication has 6 different meanings across 1 category:
complete and wholehearted fidelity
"Her dedication to her husband remained unshaken even after years of separation."
a ceremony in which something (as a building) is dedicated to some goal or purpose
"The community gathered at the dedication of the new library to celebrate its opening as a hub for learning."
a message that makes a pledge
"The dedication in the book's front matter made a solemn pledge to support literacy programs worldwide."
a short message (as in a book or musical work or on a photograph) dedicating it to someone or something
"The front page of the new novel featured a heartfelt dedication to her late grandfather."
the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
"his long commitment to public service"
"they felt no loyalty to a losing team"
The act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated.
"The dedication ceremony marked the official opening of the new community library."
In plain English: Dedication is when you put your full effort and time into something because you really care about it.
"Her dedication to her job inspired everyone she worked with."
Usage: Use dedication to describe both the formal ceremony where something is consecrated and the personal quality of intense commitment to a task. It often functions as an uncountable noun when referring to general devotion, whereas it can be countable when specifying distinct acts or inscriptions on objects like books.
The word dedication entered English between 1350 and 1400 via the Middle English form dedicacioun and Old French dedicacion. It originally referred specifically to the consecration of a church or chapel before its meaning broadened in modern usage.