devotion

noun

de·​vo·​tion di-ˈvō-shən 

dē-

1

a

: religious fervor : piety

b

: an act of prayer or private worship

—usually used in plural

during his morning devotions

c

: a religious exercise or practice other than the regular corporate (see corporate sense 2) worship of a congregation

2

a

: the act of dedicating something to a cause, enterprise, or activity : the act of devoting

the devotion of a great deal of time and energy

b

: the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal

her devotion to the cause

filial devotion

3

obsolete : the object of one's devotion

Did you know?

Devotion Has Latin Roots

Devotion and the verb devote come from the act of taking a vow (the Latin verb vovēre means "to vow"). Devote was once used as an adjective that could mean either "devout" or "devoted." While devout implies faithfulness of a religious nature ("a devout parishioner), devoted refers to one's commitment to another through love and loyalty ("a singer's devoted fans").

Synonyms

• affection
• attachment
• devotedness
• fondness
• love
• passion

Choose the Right Synonym for devotion

fidelity, allegiance, fealty, loyalty, devotion, piety mean faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty.

fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.

valued the loyalty of his friends

devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

Examples of devotion in a Sentence

She has cared for the poor with selfless devotion.

The devotion they felt for each other was obvious.

The project will require the devotion of a great deal of time and money.

They spend an hour each morning at their devotions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Lawmakers from high-tax states — including Republicans — have made clear their ardent devotion to the cause of restoring the deduction. —Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

But what may not be as widely known is his devotion as a father to his three daughters. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

For her, devotion and art are connected, and her collection and sponsorships around the art world center largely on depictions of the Hindu god Krishna. —Shreejaya Nair, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2024

Dahlia Scheindlin, a political analyst in Israel, said mothers as individuals have been important figures in the Israeli debate over how to handle the hostage crisis including by their sheer drive and devotion to their children that many find relatable. —Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see devote

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

devotion

noun

de·​vo·​tion di-ˈvō-shən 

1

a

: strong religious feeling

b

: a religious exercise or practice other than the regular worship of a congregation

2

a

: the act of devoting or the quality of being devoted

b

: strong love, affection, or dedication

devotional

-shnəl

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

devotionally

-ē

adverb