/ ˌdedɪˈkeɪʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] dedication (to sth) ( approving ) the hard work and effort that sb puts into an activity or purpose because they think it is important
SYN commitment :
hard work and dedication
2.
[ C ] a ceremony that is held to show that a building or an object has a special purpose or is special to the memory of a particular person
3.
[ C ] the words that are used at the beginning of a book, piece of music, a performance, etc. to offer it to sb as a sign of thanks or respect
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin dedicatio(n-) , from dedicare devote, consecrate.