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
Tickets are $27 for general admission; $25 for seniors, students and active duty military; and $23 for groups of 10 or more.
—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
The governor may also order flags lowered to half-staff after the death of notable current or former government officials or members of the armed forces who die while on active duty.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 May 2026
At least two military members also attend veteran funeral services, usually sent from either active duty, the national guard or the reserve, said Chadd Boland, a National Guard staff sergeant.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Less than one percent of the population, now active duty.
—CBS News, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for active duty
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
The governor may also order flags lowered to half-staff after the death of notable current or former government officials or members of the armed forces who die while on active duty.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 May 2026
At least two military members also attend veteran funeral services, usually sent from either active duty, the national guard or the reserve, said Chadd Boland, a National Guard staff sergeant.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Less than one percent of the population, now active duty.
—CBS News, 24 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 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
