noun
duty
DYOO-tee
noun
1
Something a person is morally or legally obligated to do.
"It's a nurse's duty to care for every patient equally."
"He felt it was his duty to report the accident."
2
A tax charged on goods, especially imports.
"They had to pay duty on the wine brought back from France."
3
The period during which someone is actively working or on call.
"The guard was on duty all night."
How to Use Duty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn obligation you're expected to fulfil, a tax on goods, or being actively at work.
Common pairings
on duty
off duty
sense of duty
import duty
call of duty
Word Forms
duties plural, Dutys plural
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It's a nurse's _____ to care for every patient equally.
Etymology
From Middle English duete, ultimately from "due" — something owed — plus the noun-forming ending "-ty."