duty

Plural

duties

1. 1.That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.

   • Do your duty by me! -No, we don't have a duty to keep you abreast.
   • Charles had not been employed above six months at Darracott Place, but he was not such a whopstraw as to make the least noise in the performance of his duties when his lordship was out of humour.
   • Your Excellency, I trust you will not find it necessary to use that word again. Were I not completely aware of my duty to my family and to my country, I would not have come back tonight…or indeed ever again!

2. 2.The state of being at work and responsible for or doing a particular task.

   • I’m on duty from 6 pm to 6 am.

3. 3.An excise tax; especially, one on imports or exports.

4. 4.The efficiency of an engine in work done per unit of fuel; particularly, the number of pounds of water which a steam pumping engine can raise one foot by burning one bushel or hundredweight of coal.

Overall

Common· #1741

By learning goal

Everyday conversation

Uncommon

General reading & writing

Common

Academic

Uncommon

Literature

Rare

Synonyms

• obligation
• responsibility