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

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 …

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.

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

A duty often applies to what a person performs in fulfillment of the permanent dictates of conscience, piety, right, or law: one's duty to tell the truth; a parent's duty to raise children …

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; …

Duty definition: A tax charged by a government, especially on imports.

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.

A duty may arise from a system of ethics or morality, especially in an honor culture. Many duties are created by law, sometimes including a codified punishment or liability for non-performance. …

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 …