Jul 28, 2026 · 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 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.

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 properly.

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.

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.

3 days ago · Some common synonyms of duty are assignment, chore, job, stint, and task. While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," duty implies an obligation to perform or …

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.

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.

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. …