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
Any time not spent on active duty is completed in reserve status, often the Individual Ready Reserve, meaning the physician is not drilling but remains subject to recall.
—
Robert Krasner, STAT, 1 June 2026
The missile was intercepted but falling debris hurt about five people including contractors and active duty personnel, the person said.
—Kate Sullivan, Fortune, 30 May 2026
For tax years beginning after 2017, moving expenses are deductible only for certain members of the Armed Forces on active duty who move pursuant to a military order and incident to a permanent change of station.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Matt Rourke-Pool / Getty Images Vance is a Marine Corps veteran who served active duty from 2003 to 2007.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for active duty
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Robert Krasner, STAT, 1 June 2026
The missile was intercepted but falling debris hurt about five people including contractors and active duty personnel, the person said.
—Kate Sullivan, Fortune, 30 May 2026
For tax years beginning after 2017, moving expenses are deductible only for certain members of the Armed Forces on active duty who move pursuant to a military order and incident to a permanent change of station.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Matt Rourke-Pool / Getty Images Vance is a Marine Corps veteran who served active duty from 2003 to 2007.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 28 May 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 4 Jun. 2026.
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