duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling.

Duty is what one performs, or avoids doing, in fulfillment of the permanent dictates of conscience, piety, right, or law: duty to one's country; one's duty to tell the truth, to raise children properly.

A duty (from "due" meaning "that which is owing"; Old French: deu, did, past participle of devoir; Latin: debere, debitum, whence "debt") is a commitment or expectation to perform some action in general …

It is surely the duty of the stronger members in a society to help those who are weak. I'd be failing in my duty if I didn't tell you about the risks involved in the project.

Definition of duty noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Duty, obligation refer to what one feels bound to do. Duty is what one performs, or avoids doing, in fulfillment of the permanent dictates of conscience, piety, right, or law: duty to one's country; one's …

Dec 14, 2025 · duty (countable and uncountable, plural duties) (countable, uncountable) That which one is morally or legally obligated to do. quotations Do your duty by me! -No, we don't have a duty to …

There are 20 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun duty, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

DUTY meaning: 1 : something that is done as part of a job; 2 : something that you must do because it is morally right or because the law requires it

Duty is work that you have to do for your job. Staff must report for duty at their normal place of work.