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duty

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noun American English pronunciation: duty /ˈduti/ 
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singularduty
pluralduties
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] a legal or moral obligation

    He has a duty under the terms of his contract to pay rent.

    be someone's duty to do something:

    It is your duty as a parent to protect your children.

    owe/have a duty to someone:

    The company has a duty to its stockholders.

    sense of duty:

    He has a strong sense of family duty.

    do your duty:

    I was just doing my duty as a good citizen.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of duty
    1. a.

      duties

       [plural] things that you have to do as part of your job

      He was too unwell to carry out his administrative duties.

      Police officers are often injured in the course of their duties.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of duty
  2. 2
    [countable/uncountable] economics a tax that you must pay on something, especially something that you bring into one country from another country
    duty on:

    The duty on imported vodka has been raised.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of duty

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This is the American English definition of duty. View British English definition of duty.

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