line of duty

noun phrase

: all that is authorized, required, or normally associated with some field of responsibility

Examples of line of duty in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The holiday honors the men and women who have fallen or been injured in the line of duty, according to National Day Calendar. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 May 2026 The report found that 53 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2025, down from 64 in 2024. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026 The Elk Grove Police Department rededicated its building Wednesday after the city’s first officer to die in the line of duty. Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026 The service brings together members of the Elgin Fire Department and about 20 other area fire departments to honor Illinois firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty and active and retired fire department members who have died in the past year, according to a news release. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026 With such deaths being classified in Minnesota as occurring in the line of duty, the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association has been adding memorial ribbons for officers, said Brian Hubbard, the association’s president. Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 13 May 2026 The deputy involved, Devin Jaramillo, was later killed in the line of duty months after the incident. Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 12 May 2026 Trainor, killed at the age of 30 when a wrong-way driver crashed into his cruiser on Route 1 northbound early Wednesday morning in Lynnfield, joins hundreds of other officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty across Massachusetts. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026 This year’s Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial ceremony honored not only Craven — the only local law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty over the last year — but all other officers from various agencies who have died since San Diego County was founded in 1850. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of line of duty was circa 1918

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Cite this Entry

“Line of duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/line%20of%20duty. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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