active duty
noun
: employment as a full-time member of the military
After two years of active duty she entered the reserves.
Examples of active duty in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Layered harmonies – with an assist from Ed Sheeran – and chiming guitars tell a story inspired by Taras Topolia and is written in the form of a letter from a solider on active duty.
—
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Adam Medlicott was also shot, but survived and has returned to active duty.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Pay would be halted for 56,000 active duty, reserve and civilian personnel, but they would still be required to show up for work.
—Justin Gomez, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
In November, the Pentagon opened an investigation into Kelly, citing a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other punishment.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for active duty
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Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Adam Medlicott was also shot, but survived and has returned to active duty.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Pay would be halted for 56,000 active duty, reserve and civilian personnel, but they would still be required to show up for work.
—Justin Gomez, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
In November, the Pentagon opened an investigation into Kelly, citing a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other punishment.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for active duty
Cite this Entry
“Active duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/active%20duty. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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