From Middle English duete, from Old French deu ‎(due), past participle of devoir ‎(to owe), from Latin debere ‎(to owe), from de ‎(from) + habere ‎(to have).



duty ‎(plural duties)

  1. That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.
    We don't have a duty to keep you here.
    • 1805, 21 October, Horatio Nelson
      England expects that every man will do his duty.
    • 1915, Emerson Hough, The Purchase Price, chapterI:
  2. A period of time spent at work or doing a particular task.
    I’m on duty from 6 pm to 6 am.
  3. Describing a workload as to its idle, working and de-energized periods.
  4. A tax placed on imports or exports; a tariff, customs duty, excise duty.
  5. (obsolete) One's due, something one is owed; a debt or fee.
  6. (obsolete) Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage.

Usage notesEdit

  • Adjectives often used with "duty": public, private, moral, legal, social, double, civic, contractual, political, judicial, etc.



Derived termsEdit

Related termsEdit




Most common English words before 1923: chief · company · sweet · #613: duty · heavy · single · foot

External linksEdit

Lower SorbianEdit




  1. past passive participle of duś


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