duty
5 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
duties
plural
duties
Britannica Dictionary definition of DUTY
1
:
something that is done as part of a job
[count]
-
His primary/main duty at the event is to take attendance.
-
If new employees are unable to carry out their duties, they may be fired.
-
She has a variety of administrative duties.
[noncount]
-
Please report for duty [=show up for work] at 7 a.m.
-
This year no firefighters/police were killed in the line of duty. [=while they were doing their jobs]
-
In helping them, he went beyond the call of duty. [=did more than he was required or expected to do]
2
:
something that you must do because it is morally right or because the law requires it
[count]
-
We felt it was our duty to help.
-
He has a duty to support his family.
[noncount]
-
They helped her out of a sense of duty.
-
I'll be ready when duty calls.
-
He was selected for jury duty. [=to serve on a jury]
3
[noncount]
:
active military service
-
Her brother returned from duty overseas.
-
a twelve-month tour of duty
-
Many reserve troops were called into active duty.
4
:
a tax on goods that are being brought into a country
[count]
-
All goods had a 15 percent (import) duty.
-
customs duties
[noncount]
-
We had to pay duty on our souvenirs.
do duty as
1
:
to do the work of (someone or something)
-
He did (double) duty as the star and director of the film.
2
:
to be used as (something)
-
The backpack she uses at school also does duty as an overnight bag.
off duty
:
not working at a particular time
-
I go off duty in two hours.
on duty
:
working at a particular time
-
I can't take any personal calls while I'm on duty.
—
see also heavy duty
