duty
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1du·ty
noun \ˈdü-tē also ˈdyü-\ plural duties
Definition of DUTY
1
: conduct due to parents and superiors : respect
2
a : obligatory tasks, conduct, service, or functions that arise from one's position (as in life or in a group) b (1) : assigned service or business (2) : active military service (3) : a period of being on duty
3
a : a moral or legal obligation b : the force of moral obligation
4
: tax; especially : a tax on imports
5
a : work 1a b (1) : the service required (as of an electric machine) under specified conditions (2) : functional application : use <got double duty out of the trip> (3) : use as a substitute <making the word do duty for the thing — Edward Sapir>
— off duty
: free from assignment or responsibility
— on duty
: engaged in or responsible for an assigned task or duty
See Examples of DUTY
- His primary duty at the event is to take attendance.
- If new employees are unable to carry out their duties, they may be fired.
- She has a variety of adminsitrative duties.
- We felt it was our duty to help.
- He has a duty to support his family.
- They helped her out of a sense of duty.
- I'll be ready when duty calls.
- Her brother returned from duty overseas.
- a twelve-month tour of duty
- Many reserve troops were called into active duty.
Origin of DUTY
Middle English duete, from Anglo-French deueté, dueté, from deu due
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to DUTY
- Synonyms
- assessment, tax, imposition, impost, levy
2duty
adjectiveDefinition of DUTY
1
: done as a duty
2
: being on duty : assigned to specified tasks or functions <the duty officer>
First Known Use of DUTY
1806
Learn More About DUTY
Browse
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up duty? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
