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
The players only play for the love of the game, graduate, then go on to active duty in the armed forces for a minimum of five years.
—
Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
In a separate order, Walz authorized the state’s adjutant general to place the National Guard personnel, equipment, and facilities on active duty.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
But Hegseth, in November, threatened to recall Kelly to active duty for a court-martial for telling the truth.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
But Kelly’s statements were not made while on active duty, and were not disparaging.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for active duty
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Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
In a separate order, Walz authorized the state’s adjutant general to place the National Guard personnel, equipment, and facilities on active duty.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
But Hegseth, in November, threatened to recall Kelly to active duty for a court-martial for telling the truth.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
But Kelly’s statements were not made while on active duty, and were not disparaging.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 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 12 Jan. 2026.
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