First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1duty
noun du·ty \ˈdü-tē also ˈdyü-\
: something that is done as part of a job
: something that you must do because it is morally right or because the law requires it
: active military service
plural duties
Full Definition of DUTY
1
: conduct due to parents and superiors : respect
2
a : obligatory tasks, conduct, service, or functions that arise from one's position (as in life or in a group) b (1) : assigned service or business (2) : active military service (3) : a period of being on duty
3
a : a moral or legal obligation b : the force of moral obligation
4
: tax; especially : a tax on imports
5
a : work 1a b (1) : the service required (as of an electric machine) under specified conditions (2) : functional application : use <got double duty out of the trip> (3) : use as a substitute <making the word do duty for the thing — Edward Sapir>
— off duty
: free from assignment or responsibility
— on duty
: engaged in or responsible for an assigned task or duty
See duty defined for English-language learners
See duty defined for kids
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Origin of DUTY
Middle English duete, from Anglo-French deueté, dueté, from deu due
Related to DUTY
- Synonyms
- assessment, tax, imposition, impost, levy
Synonym Discussion of DUTY
function, office, duty, province mean the acts or operations expected of a person or thing. function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work <the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information — Aldous Huxley>. office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others <they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor — W. E. Gladstone>. duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling <it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case — R. B. Taney>. province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one <I felt it was not my province to inquire — Anne Brontë>.
task, duty, job, chore, stint, assignment mean a piece of work to be done. task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance <charged with a variety of tasks>. duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance <the duties of a lifeguard>. job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance <the job of turning the company around>. chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm <every child was assigned chores>. stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service <a 2-month stint as a reporter>. assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority <a reporter's assignment>.
task, duty, job, chore, stint, assignment mean a piece of work to be done. task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance <charged with a variety of tasks>. duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance <the duties of a lifeguard>. job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance <the job of turning the company around>. chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm <every child was assigned chores>. stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service <a 2-month stint as a reporter>. assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority <a reporter's assignment>.
2duty
adjective
Definition of DUTY
1
: done as a duty
2
: being on duty : assigned to specified tasks or functions <the duty officer>
First Known Use of DUTY
1806
OFF DUTY Defined for Kids
duty
noun du·ty \ˈdü-tē, ˈdyü-\
plural duties
Definition of DUTY for Kids
1
: something a person feels he or she ought to do because it is morally right <Dad says it's his duty to take care of Grandma.>
2
: something a person is required to do by law <jury duty>
3
: an action done as part of a job or position <a principal's duties>
4
: the time during which a person must do his or her job <The police officer was on duty.>
5
: active military service <He returned from duty overseas.>
6
: a tax especially on imports into a country
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