in the line of duty

phrase

: while doing one's job
a soldier/policeman/fireman who was killed in the line of duty

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In the line of duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20line%20of%20duty. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster