devote

verb

de·​vote di-ˈvōt How to pronounce devote (audio)
dē-
devoted; devoting

transitive verb

1
: to commit by a solemn act
devoted herself to serving God
2
: to give over or direct (time, money, effort, etc.) to a cause, enterprise, or activity
Part of the lecture was devoted to taking questions from the audience.
She devoted her life to public service.
devotement noun
Choose the Right Synonym for devote

devote, dedicate, consecrate, hallow mean to set apart for a special and often higher end.

devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity.

battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

Examples of devote in a Sentence

I conscientiously devote several hours every weekend to playing with my dog. planning a diplomatic career, she's been intensely devoting herself to the study of foreign languages in college
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
California needs to devote more money to rooftop solar, not less. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025 Brown devoted Wednesdays to mobility and conditioning after years of just incorporating it into his daily workouts. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 Smith, who ran her own pet grooming business, devoted herself entirely to Piper’s pageant pursuits. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025 To avoid these potentially destabilizing effects, military leaders will need to explain what the country stands to lose if the military devotes excess time, resources, and attention to domestic operations and fails to adhere carefully to the laws of war. Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for devote

Word History

Etymology

Latin devotus, past participle of devovēre, from de- + vovēre to vow

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of devote was in 1586

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Devote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devote. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

devote

verb
de·​vote di-ˈvōt How to pronounce devote (audio)
devoted; devoting
1
: to set apart for a special purpose
devote land to farming
2
: to give (oneself) up to
devoted herself to her career

More from Merriam-Webster on devote

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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