dedicate

v.

1. To consecrate

   sanctify, hallow, anoint; see bless 3.

2. To set apart for special use

   devote, apply, give, appropriate, set aside, surrender, allot, consign, commit, restrict, apportion, assign, give over to, donate.

to dedicate is to set apart or assign something, as in a formal rite, to some serious, often sacred, purpose to dedicate a temple, to dedicate oneself to painting; to devote is to give up or apply oneself or something with the seriousness or earnestness evoked by a formal vow to devote one's life to a cause; to consecrate is to set apart for some religious or holy use to consecrate ground for a church; hallow, a stronger word, suggests an intrinsic holiness in the thing set apart to hallow the Sabbath